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We all know that it’s important to clean our teeth on a daily basis. But if you find that you’re experiencing continued oral health concerns, then your routine may be at fault. The following 5 tips will help you to achieve optimum oral health results. So, take a look and see if your daily routine makes the grade.

1. Choose your toothpaste like you would choose your hair or skin care products

Finding the right toothpaste to suit your teeth is exactly the same as finding the right skincare products, or the right shampoo and conditioner. If sensitivity is an issue for one person, then a toothpaste that targets this issue is the best option, whereas others may be looking to protect against cavities. Be careful with toothpastes that claim to improve whiteness, these are often very abrasive as they usually work by removing surface stain. You may even find a specific toothpaste that targets multiple oral health issues. Opting for a cheaper toothpaste might seem like a good idea to begin with, but could cause significant damage in the long run.

It is recommended that you change your toothbrush every three months, to ensure that the bristles are not worn down to the point of being useless. Any longer and your toothbrush could become a hygiene risk as well. Electric toothbrushes are now becoming more affordable, and can be more effective than manual toothbrushes at removing plaque build-up – keeping your teeth cleaner for longer.

2. Hygienists are your teeth’s best friend

It’s easy to skip one or to dental check-ups, especially if you experience a lot of anxiety whenever you do visit the dentists. Keeping regular appointments with your dental hygienist, however, will help you to identify any areas of your cleaning routine that are maybe lacking, and focus on potential oral health issues that you had not previously considered. The health of your gums is directly linked to your overall health, there is a link between gum disease and an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes or Alzheimer’s Disease, so your hygienist could save your life. Either way, it can only help you to maintain that winning smile.

3. Clean in between

It may seem unnecessary to you, but cleaning throughout the day will help to break down hard to reach plaque, and prevent against avoidable tooth decay. Despite what you might believe, or at least once a day, is a great way of helping to prevent plaque build-up between the teeth. It can also help to remove any remaining food after meals which, if left, could result in bad breath.

Interdental brushes are another great solution to this, can be easily stored in your handbag, or pocket for use throughout the day. Using interdental brushes can help to clean gums and clear plaque in between teeth – very similar to flossing. You may find that your gums bleed to begin with as they may be inflamed but keep it up and you will see a noticeable difference.

4. Don’t rinse, spit then repeat

No, we don’t mean that you need to repeat the routine immediately after you finish brushing. It is advised, however, that to achieve optimum results you brush twice a day – first thing in the morning before breakfast, and last thing at night just before you go to bed. Brushing for a minimum of 2 minutes will ensure that every last bit of plaque is reached, once you have finished cleaning, spit but don’t rinse your mouth. It’s important that you don’t rush the process, it may seem like an extra hassle, but your oral health matters.

5. Consider straightening your teeth

Crowded teeth can be very difficult to keep clean as it’s almost impossible to use a Tepe brush and sometimes even floss can’t get through. It is also more likely that plaque and tartar can build up in the nooks and crannies. Straighter teeth are easier to keep clean and can also be better for your general oral health as it can reduce the risk of other problems as you get older. The best way to straighten your teeth is with a brace and there are lots of options available, sometimes your teeth can be treated in about 6-8 weeks.

Maintaining oral health is just another aspect of good physical health. If you feel that you need a little extra help, contact Evolve Dentistry, Portishead today. We focus on general and cosmetic dentistry as well as braces to help create and maintain a smile you’ll really want to show off.