Day: September 29, 2021

When it comes to self-care, maintaining good oral hygiene should be at the top of the list. Looking after your teeth will help keep your oral cavity healthy and reduce the risk of nasty infections and diseases. Not to mention, a healthy, clean mouth can help you look, smell, and feel great. Here are four top tips to help you maintain good oral health.

1. Schedule in a Dental Appointment

One thing many people seem to put off is going to the dentist. No one likes the idea of sitting in a chair while someone probes the contents of their mouth. However, a regular visit is key to good oral hygiene. Adults should aim to visit a dentist every six months. If you skip an appointment, you could be at a higher risk of developing a dental condition. In turn, you may have to increase your number of visits per year. Dentists are specially trained to inspect the oral cavity, and they can help stop dental diseases and infections. They can also spot problems early on and give recommendations to fix the issue before it gets worse. The Oakwood Clinic is made up of dental professionals who can help you maintain good oral hygiene. They offer different types of treatments, including cosmetic, general, and preventative dentistry. For more information about their services, visit the-oakwoodclinic.co.uk.

2. Swap Your Toothbrush

Whether you use an old-school toothbrush or you brush your teeth with an electric model, the bristles of a brush can lose their cleaning ability after a certain amount of time. For optimum results and healthy teeth, you should aim to replace the toothbrush, or the toothbrush head, every three or four months.

3. Ayurvedic Oil Pulling

The ancient ayurvedic practice of oil pulling has been revered for thousands of years. The idea of this practice is to remove harmful toxins by pulling them out of the body through the tongue. The practice is said to prevent cavity formation, clear discoloration from teeth, and reduce bad breath. You can choose from different types of oil, such as coconut, olive, and sesame, and you should practice oil pulling first thing in the morning before you brush your teeth. To practice, you need to rinse your mouth with water, then swish a tablespoon of oil in your mouth for at least five minutes. Once you have finished swishing, spit out the oil, rinse with warm water, then brush as usual.

4. Drink Plenty of Water

Water is natural and free, and drinking enough of it per day is excellent for overall health. Not to mention, it contains no fat, calories, or, most importantly, sugar. Drinking water will help you achieve good oral hygiene. Conversely, a sugary beverage can dissolve your enamel and create cavities, which may eventually lead to tooth decay. Drinking water before eating and drinking can stimulate saliva production, which will stop sugar from clinging to your teeth. On the other hand, drinking water after consuming sweet items can help decrease the risk of plaque and bacteria from building up on your teeth, and it will reduce bad breath too.

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Everyone knows they should see a dentist twice a year for a check-up, but it’s quite common for people to miss a year or so without scheduling a meeting with a dentist due to travel, work, family, and ultimately, just not having the time or need to go until pain or uncomfortable sensations strike.

It’s always tempting to wait out the pain with painkillers or gels when discomfort strikes, as common pains like toothache, sensitive teeth, or cracked teeth go away after a few days in minor instances, only to return shortly after. If you suffer from any of these oral conditions below, you should seek dental advice immediately. 

Headaches & Grinding teeth

If you find yourself waking up in the morning with a headache or a slight migraine, this could be down to sore teeth caused by grinding teeth. This sensation (Bruxism) is regular among adults with stress-related issues that cause unconsciously clenching or grinding of their teeth while awake and during sleep, leading to damaged teeth, headaches, and jaw problems.

Toothache

It’s never an easy time when a toothache strikes! It’s hard to think, concentrate, stand, lay down, sit, or do anything that requires your brain to act. Painkillers can subdue the pain for a while, but if a recurring toothache keeps troubling you, it’s an urgent sign that you should visit a friendly dentist. 

Inflamed Gums

Sore, swollen, and red gums are signs of potential gum disease and can cause serious discomfort if left untreated. Severe cases of gum disease need treating straight away with oral cleaning tools that eliminate infections, plaque around the gum line, and bacterias.

Other minor issues like abscesses around the teeth and gums are easily treatable with a visit to the dentist and proper dental hygiene at home.

Loose or Cracked Teeth

Nothing is satisfying about chewing on food with a wobbly or cracked tooth. Food gets stuck in between the gaps, and the pain and trauma eventually become unbearable. When noticing a loose or chipped tooth, you should see your dentist immediately for assistance.

A qualified dentist will make a diagnosis of the tooth and determine if a cracked tooth can be repaired or needs removing. The procedure at Northwickmanordental.co.uk for tooth removal is stress-free and over in no time. 

Sensitive To Hot & Cold

Nearly everyone at some point in their lives suffers from an uncomfortable sensation from hot and cold food or drink in their teeth. If you have sensitive teeth when eating ice cream, hot drinks, citrus drinks, or sweet foods on a regular basis, it’s better to schedule an appointment with a dentist. A dentist can resolve this issue with cleaning and protective coatings aimed to reduce the sensitivity.

Bleeding Gums

Occasional bleeding of the gums that lasts a day or two is nothing to be alarmed about, but continuous bleeding for several days during brushing could be something more serious like gingivitis, periodontal disease, bad breath, scurvy, and even diabetes the longer it’s left untreated.

Minor causes of bleeding gums can also be caused by using a toothbrush with hard bristles, using medication like blood thinners, flossing for the first time, or faulty dental procedures. 

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