Below is a list of the most commonly asked questions our dental patients ask at Advance Dental Aesthetics, in Southend. In this blog our expert team of dentists and dental hygienist explain all the things patients can do at home to ensure they keep their teeth, gums and smile in tip-top condition. We also explain what you can expect from an appointment with our dental hygienist in Southend, Essex.
There are certain basics everyone needs to adhere to if they’re to maintain good oral health, clean teeth and healthy gums. This involves brushing your teeth at least twice daily and never going to bed without brushing your teeth first. Ask our Southend dental hygienist about the best technique for brushing teeth. This way you’ll get the most benefit out of your daily teeth brushing routine. Other brushing tips include; not forgetting to brush your tongue, use a fluoride toothpaste, update your tooth brush every 3 months or use an electric toothbrush, use a mouthwash after brushing and floss before.
For the best results when brushing teeth hold your toothbrush at a slight angle and aim the bristles toward the gum line; where your tooth meets your gum. Gently brush with circular short back-and-forth motions. Brushing too hard or with hard bristles can hurt your gums and sometimes lead to bleeding.
Brush your teeth for two minutes. Remember to brush the outside, inside and chewing surfaces of your teeth, as well as your tongue.
It’s tricky to reach the bacteria in the tight spaces between your teeth and under the gum line with a toothbrush. Flossing is the best and only way to reach these surfaces so it’s an important element of your daily oral hygiene routine. Tips when flossing:
Use approximately 18 inches of dental floss each time. Wind most of the floss around the middle finger on one hand, and the rest around the middle finger on the other hand. Grip the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
Guide the floss between your teeth using a rubbing motion. Don’t snap the floss into your gums. When the floss reaches your gum line, curve it against one tooth, making a c shape. Slide the floss into the space between your gum and tooth. Use the floss to gently rub the side of the tooth in an up-and-down motion. Unwind fresh floss as you progress to the rest of your teeth. If you struggle to use floss try an interdental cleaner — such as a dental pick, pre-threaded flosser, tiny brushes that reach between teeth, a water flosser, or wooden or silicone wedge plaque remover. Our dental hygienist at Advance Dental Aesthetics in Southend will recommend the best interdental brushes for your teeth.
Simple changes to your daily oral health regime, as suggested above, is a proven way to prevent gum disease and other oral health problems. Regular dental appointments and regular dental cleanings and exams that include X-rays will also help in early detection of any dental problems. Early intervention will save you many trips to the dentists and save you time and money. In the meantime, contact your dentist in Southend, Essex, if you notice any signs or symptoms that could suggest oral health problems, such as:
Remember, early detection and treatment of problems with your gums, teeth and mouth can help ensure a lifetime of good oral health.
Calcium is a vital building block for strong healthy teeth and other important vitamins for health teeth include vitamin C, D and A.
We’re so lucky to have such an experienced Dental hygienist at Advance Dental Aesthetics in Southend. The role of our dental hygienist is primarily concerned with ‘preventive’ dental health and treating gum disease – showing you correct brushing and oral hygiene tips to help keep your teeth and gums healthy. This includes professionally cleaning your teeth by removing plaque and tartar (usually called a ‘scale and polish’ or a prophylaxis). However, perhaps their most important role is showing you the best way to keep your teeth free of plaque. Plaque is a sticky coating that forms constantly on your teeth. Hygienists also give advice about diet and about preventing tooth decay. The hygienist will work with your dental team at Advance Dental Aesthetics to give you the care that is tailored to your needs.
If you’d like more details on how to look after your teeth and gums why not book an appointment with our dental hygienist today.
