Why must I brush my teeth? And how do I do it properly?
Brushing your teeth seriously keeps your teeth healthy. And you need to keep your teeth healthy to avoid future problems!
Cavities are the last thing you’d want, so here’s what you should do:
- Brush at least twice a day – don’t slack off!
- Use soft or extra soft bristles, and regularly replace them when they get worn down.
- Light gentle, circular strokes – not heavy handed!
- Either manual or electric, doesn’t matter as long as you clean thoroughly.
- A minimum of two minutes and not in the same spot – duh!
- Parents should brush their children’s teeth till the age of 6.
Why floss? And how should it be done?
As you get older, you can become more prone to dental & gum disease. Flossing helps clean your teeth in those tiny spaces where your toothbrush can’t get to.
- Floss regularly, make a simple routine. Ideally, once a day.
- Remember to use a long piece of floss in order to have total control over where the floss goes
- Don’t just jam the floss between the teeth – you can make things worse!
- Take your time, be patient – it will take time but is well worth it
If you are unsure, just ask at your next appointment & our dentists will be more than happy to show you how to floss correctly.
Why is your diet important?
What you eat isn’t only important to your overall health but it can also directly affect the health of your teeth and gums.
- Diets that are high in acidic or sugary foods can cause tooth decay. These foods don’t have to be avoided altogether; they just need to be consumed in moderation.
- Avoid snacking between meals – it’ll lengthen the time that your teeth will be under sugar attack!
- Limit intake of sticky, chewy and sugary food
- Erosion may occur from high-acidic food and drinks including energy drinks, sports drinks, cordials, wine and soft drinks. The more you take in, the more you can say goodbye to your teeth!
Why should you visit us regularly?
Routine checkups will help to avoid problems. Don’t wait till the last minute when your tooth starts to hurt! You’ll want to arrange checkups to
- Assess overall health of teeth, bone, gums
- Check for oral cancer
- Determine and confirm presence of decay (that may be confirmed with a x-ray)
- Routine professional cleaning is paramount to prevent any tooth or gum related disease
- Treat problems in the early stages to avoid costly, extensive, time-consuming and potentially unpredictable solutions (like the infamous root canal treatment)
- There is no perfect substitute to replace your teeth!
- If there are issues that need to be addressed, we’re very transparent and we’ll select a treatment plan that will work best for you
What is gum disease and how does it occur?
Gum disease affects most people at some time during their life. It’s usually caused by a build-up of plaque on teeth. One of the common signs of gum disease is bleeding gums.
It is a progressive disease, that starts initially as gingivitis and further deterioration and unimprovement of local and systemic factors may lead to periodontal disease.
Gingivitis: Warning! Warning! In danger of gum disease!
- Fortunately, it is a reversible condition
- Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums (the pink stuff) due to plaque accumulation and irritation
- Signs of gingivitis include bleeding, redness and swelling of the gums
- If you have any of these symptoms, please Contact Us immediately
Periodontal disease: This is when you haven’t listened to any of the advice above!
- Also known as gum disease, causing red, swollen gums and can mean the tissue and bone that hold teeth in place may be destroyed
- Meaning you can potentially lose your teeth!
- Chronic plaque accumulation will irritate the gums
- Plaque can harden into tartar and worsen the condition
- The damage is irreversible BUT… we can try and stop it!
- We play an active role in halting the progression of gum disease through deep periodontal cleaning. But unresponsive cases may require further attention by a periodontist (specialist).
What causes my teeth to stain and discolour?
Staining and discolouration of your teeth can be caused by many reasons. Some are due to your lifestyle while others are from faults in your tooth. Common reasons for discolouration include
- Smoking
- Diet (consumption of red wine, coffee and tea)
- Medication
- Decay
- Age
Professional teeth cleaning may remove all these stains and restore your teeth back to their natural glorious whiteness. You also may consider our professional teeth whitening to achieve your amazing smile!