Dental on Martyn provides some helpful tips to keep your teeth in top condition and reduce the risk of decay.
- Brush teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
- Limit the intake of soft drinks, energy drinks and sport drinks as they can dissolve the tooth enamel and cause tooth decay.
- Floss teeth daily. Note the first time you floss there may be some bleeding but this usually disappears after a few days. If it does persist, seek advice from your dentist.
- Drink plenty of tap water.
- Opt for plain milk rather than flavoured milk.
- Eat a wide variety of nutritious foods.
- Where possible, avoid muesli bars or chewy fruit bars that tend to stick to teeth. Otherwise, try to get children to clean their teeth or rinse their mouth after consuming these snacks.
- Pregnant women who suffer morning sickness with vomiting and acid reflux can be at risk of teeth erosion. To minimise the risk of damage to your teeth rinse your mouth with water or a mouth rinse after reflux or vomiting.
- If you use chewing gum ensure that it is sugar-free gum, which will stimulate saliva and help protect teeth from decay.
- Remove and clean dentures every night.
- Never share a mouthguard.
- Clean mouthguards before storing them.
- Have regular dental check-ups.