We live in challenging times, so even though we find ourselves at the beginning of another new year, now might not feel like the moment to make any ground-breaking commitments to living your life better, fitter, happier!
Instead, in 2022 we’re thinking about taking slow, small and manageable steps to achieve positive change. It’s all about incremental adjustments that are achievable and easy to maintain throughout the year, and which have the potential to blossom into healthy habits that will stand you in good stead for the future.
Small steps towards oral health
When it comes to your oral health routine, we could all do with a reminder from time to time of the best ways to look after our teeth.
Brush
The best place to start is with the basics; make sure that you’re brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time using a fluoride toothpaste. Find out more tips here.
Floss
Brushing only actually cleans around 60% of the surfaces of your teeth and often leaves the areas between the teeth a little neglected. For this reason, it is also recommended that you introduce flossing as part of your daily routine.
However, flossing can be a bit of a minefield and you might find yourself with more questions than answers:
- What’s the best floss?
- Should I use interdental sticks?
- How do you actually clean between your teeth effectively?
You can find some tips here. Or even better, book an appointment with one of our experienced and friendly hygienists who will show you exactly how.
Limit snacking
Diet is also a hugely important factor in maintaining an effective oral health routine. Whether it’s fizzy drinks, chocolate or other processed sugar or even acidic citrus fruits, it’s important to think about how your diet is affecting your teeth as well as the rest of your body.
Every time you consume food or drink that has a high sugar and/or acid content, your teeth come under attack. Sugar turns to acid in your mouth and this starts to erode your tooth enamel, the protective layer on the outside of your teeth. That’s when cavities start to develop.
For this reason, it’s also important to wait for at least an hour after eating to brush your teeth. This makes sure that your enamel, which softens when you eat, can harden back again and minimise the damage done to it.
Talk to the experts
Here at Ringley Park we have a dedicated team of dental hygienists who are here to help you take control of your oral health routine and maintain your smile. So, if you have any questions at all about how to brush your teeth, dietary advice or tips and tricks when it comes to flossing, they’ll be happy to help.
To book an appointment with one of our hygienists, call 01737 240123
