Keeping your teeth and gums healthy

 

Good oral hygiene is one of the simplest ways to protect your teeth and gums over the long term. A healthy mouth is not just about having clean-looking teeth. Healthy gums should not routinely bleed, and keeping the spaces between your teeth clean is just as important as brushing the tooth surfaces themselves. The aim is not to have a complicated routine. It is to find an approach that works for you and that you can maintain consistently.

 

 

What does a healthy mouth look like?

 

Healthy gums are generally firm, pink and do not bleed when you brush or clean between your teeth. Bleeding from the gums can be an early sign of gum inflammation and is often a sign that plaque is not being removed effectively from that area.

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If your gums bleed, don't simply avoid the area. In most cases, it is a reason to pay more attention to cleaning there. If bleeding persists despite improving your oral hygiene, it is worth having your gums assessed.

 

 

How should I clean my teeth?

 

I recommend brushing your teeth twice a day for a minimum of two minutes, using a fluoride toothpaste. It can be surprisingly easy to miss areas when brushing, particularly around the back teeth and along the gum line. One simple approach is to divide your mouth into four sections and spend around 30 seconds concentrating on each.

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You should also clean between your teeth once a day. This might be with floss, interdental brushes or another method recommended for your particular mouth. For many people, cleaning between the teeth in the evening is easiest because it becomes part of the bedtime routine.

 

After brushing, spit rather than rinsing with water, so that the fluoride from the toothpaste remains around your teeth.

 

Do I need to wait before brushing after eating?

 

It is generally sensible to avoid brushing immediately after eating or drinking, particularly after acidic foods and drinks. If you've just eaten, waiting around 30 minutes before brushing gives your mouth time to recover before you brush.

 

 

Which toothbrush should I use?

 

Choosing a toothbrush doesn't need to be complicated. If you use a manual toothbrush, I would look for a small head and soft, closely packed bristles. You don't need an expensive toothbrush to clean your teeth effectively.

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Electric toothbrushes are not essential either. A manual toothbrush can work very well when used properly.

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For some people, however, an electric toothbrush makes it easier to brush consistently or for the recommended amount of time. If you find that an electric brush helps you maintain your routine, it can be a very worthwhile choice.

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Whichever toothbrush you use, replace it — or the brush head — when the bristles become worn or approximately every three months.

 

 

What toothpaste should I use?

The most important thing I look for in a toothpaste is fluoride. Fluoride helps protect the teeth against decay by strengthening the tooth surface and making it more resistant to acid attack.

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For most adults, a toothpaste containing at least 1,450ppm fluoride is appropriate. There is no need to choose a toothpaste simply because it is more expensive or heavily marketed. The important thing is that it contains an appropriate amount of fluoride and that you use it consistently.

 

I struggle to remember to brush my teeth

If brushing twice a day isn't yet a habit, try making it part of something you already do. Some people find an electric toothbrush or a brushing app useful. Others simply set a reminder on their phone or leave their toothbrush somewhere visible.

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The best routine is the one that you can actually maintain.

 

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What I look for when I assess your oral hygiene

When I assess your teeth and gums, I'm not simply looking at whether your teeth look clean.

I'm looking for signs of:

• plaque and inflammation

• gum disease

• tooth decay

• tooth wear

• areas that are difficult to clean

• problems that may affect existing or planned restorations​

 

Good oral hygiene becomes particularly important when you have fillings, crowns, veneers, implants or other restorative treatment. Before we start any comprehensive care, we will make sure your oral hygiene is good - excellent. This gives us the best working conditions for predictable clinical outcomes.