Despite good oral health being the key to a killer smile, figures from the National Smile Month survey show that a quarter of adults only brush their teeth once a day and over four fifths of the population have at least one filling.
Despite official advice on how often you should visit the dentist, twenty five per cent of people questioned hadn’t visited their dentist for over two years and a third had regular dental pain.
Together with National Smile Month, we recommend three key points that can keep your teeth looking and feeling fantastic:
- Brush your teeth twice a day - once when you wake up and last thing at night
Brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day for about two minutes each time helps to keep your gums, teeth and mouth healthy. It also stops the build-up of plaque, a sticky film that contains millions of bacteria. If plaque is not removed through brushing, flossing and using mouthwash, it can cause serious tooth decay and gum disease.
Gum disease has been linked to a number of health problems, including heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, stroke and diabetes.
- Reduce the amount of sugar you are drinking
Tooth decay is caused by bacteria in the mouth using sugar from food and drink. The acids that are produced dissolve and damage the teeth, removing enamel and causing cavities.
- Visit your dentist every six months
Although there are no rules set in stone for how often you should visit the dentist, we recommend twice a year. Depending on your oral health, there may be occasions when we need to see you more or less regularly, we can offer you guidance on this.
We appreciate that sometimes it is too late to undo previous tooth damage and that it can be difficult to restore the natural beauty of your teeth. That’s why alongside our general dental procedures, we have devised a range of cosmetic dentistry procedures, designed to give you the confidence you deserve. From white fillings and teeth whitening, to dental implants and veneers, we’re a one stop shop for all things dental.
To see how we could help you, call our friendly team on: 020 7091 0677 or email: reception@riversidedentalspa.com. To find out more about National Smile Week, which runs from the 15 May – 15 June, please visit: www.nationalsmilemonth.org/about-smile-month.
