The majority of dental patients know how to look after their teeth.

But for some people, these lessons may have been missed early in life due to their parents having fears of attending dental check-ups or due to unfortunate circumstances. Thus, those all-important early brushing sessions and teachings may have been forgotten about completely.

Luckily, it is never too late to learn a new skill! And prevention is always best, especially in dental care!

At Deakin Dental, our dentist Canberra will always aim to teach our patients how to care for their teeth. We know that dental phobias often have a genetic element and so, we will never judge you if you have missed a few check-ups due to this issue. We want to help you feel comfortable seeing us as good dental health can help with good general health, and we are eager to keep you and your family healthy. Great!

So, what are some beginner and straightforward tips for taking care of your teeth? Our dentist Canberra provides the following 5.

Brush your teeth

This sounds obvious, but you should always aim to brush your teeth at least twice a day; once in the morning and once in the evening. Try to brush for around 3 minutes.

Aim to use high fluoride toothpaste. Manual toothbrushes are good, but to get a better clean, our dentist Canberra recommends using an electric one; these usually operate with batteries and come with interchangeable heads, so you and your partner can share one and change the head, saving time, space and money. Great!

Use mouthwash too, as this will remove bacteria that you may have missed.

Floss!

Do you need to floss your teeth? Yes!

Between the teeth, also known as the interdental area, there is a high level of bacteria due to simply eating food. This area makes up 40% of your tooth, so you need to keep it clean. Electric toothbrushes can help with this, but flossing is the best way to remove food debris from those hard-to-reach areas.

Like brushing, aim to floss twice a day. If you need help learning how to floss, ask our team for advice, and we will be all too happy to show you.

Limit sugar and acidic foods

Sugar is bad for teeth, as are highly acidic foods. Both cause the enamel to weaken, thus heightening the chance of cavities forming.

So, if you have a sweet tooth, aim to consume sugar-free options, or simply cut as much sugar out of your diet as you can. Your health will benefit too, we promise!

Also, aim to eat harder foods like nuts as these can help to remove plaque from your teeth.

Attend check-ups

Attending check-ups every 6 months is vital for maintaining good oral health.

This allows our team to check for signs of cavities, gum disease and other issues, like loose fillings or crowns. If you are nervous, we can offer you sedation options to help you to relax in the dental chair.

Don’t smoke

Smoking is terrible for your teeth and gums; it promotes inflammation, causes the gums to recede and also heightens the chances of you developing lung cancer.

If you currently smoke and want to give up, talk to our team about cessation options.

DISCLAIMER

All treatment carries risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.