A Step by Step Guide to Oral Hygiene

Although many of the statistics concerning the state of the UK’s oral health in the early 21st century are encouraging ones, some of the other recently reported facts and figures are much more concerning. Did you know, for example, that one in four adults admit to not brushing their teeth twice a day, and that only 31% of adults use mouthwash?

So without further ado, we thought we would explore some simple steps that you can take to improve your own oral hygiene.

Brush your teeth properly!

While many of us brush our teeth twice a day as we should do, not all of us have our brushing technique right, including positioning the bristles at a 45-degree angle near the gum line and ensuring that the bristles are in contact with both the tooth surface and gum line.

Both the outside and inside surfaces of your teeth should be brushed in a gentle, back-and-forth, up-and-down motion, while you should also be sure to brush your tongue surface and the roof of your mouth. So many Britons miss out these vital areas, which can lead to bad breath due to bacteria build-up.

Don’t forget to floss, too

The fact that a third of people have never flossed their teeth strikes us as a great pity here at BF Mulholland, as it’s such a crucial step for removing those food particles and other damaging substances that both toothbrushes and mouthwash can fail to reach.

Floss at least once a day to ensure that you are not neglecting those otherwise tricky-to-clean crevices deep between your teeth.

Give yourself a tooth-friendly diet

Many people forget just how drastic a difference their diet can make to their oral hygiene. Did you know that such beverages as coffee and alcohol, for example, contain a great amount of phosphorus, which can deplete your body’s calcium levels? This can lead to such dental hygiene problems as gum disease and tooth decay.

On the other hand, however, you shouldn’t eliminate phosphorus from your diet entirely, as it is also – paradoxically – a necessary mineral for ensuring oral health. Nonetheless, you shouldn’t underestimate the importance of a good calcium intake, as you can gain from the likes of milk, yoghurt, cheese and other dairy products.

Swerve clear of cigarettes

Tobacco wreaks all manner of havoc on your teeth, and if you try to negate the smoky breath and odour that can result from smoking by drinking tea or coffee or using candles, the damage caused can be even worse.

Smoking is a leading cause of not just lung cancer, but also oral cancer. Furthermore, with 91% of the many thousands of new oral cancer cases in the UK a year being preventable, you really will be thankful that you cut it out of your life if you wish to maintain the highest oral hygiene standards.

Finally… don’t neglect those dentist visits!

Although the answer to the question “How often should I go to the dentist?” differs depending on the condition of your mouth, teeth and gums, you should certainly see your dentist at regular intervals – even if only once every two years – to help ensure that your oral health remains as good as it can be.

Remember that if you run a dental practice yourself, here at BF Mulholland, we stock an extensive selection of high-quality dental supplies to assist you in your goal of providing your patients with the very best possible care.