Good oral hygiene is all about keeping your teeth and gums clean and healthy, and it doesn’t take much time in your day to make good choices to prevent dental problems. Without wanting to do ourselves out of a job, there is a lot of preventative care you can do at home to complement the ongoing care services we offer like getting regular check-ups or seeing our dental hygienist. Here’s five ways you can keep your mouth in top condition.

1. Brush your teeth

You knew this would be first up. Brushing twice a day is the most basic thing you can do to keep your teeth clean, but it’s surprising how many people avoid it. According to a recent YouGov survey, three in ten Brits only brush their teeth once a day, going against the cardinal rule of tooth care.

We’d recommend waiting at least an hour after eating food as it temporarily softens your enamel, spit out toothpaste and don’t rinse to keep the fluoride from the toothpaste on your teeth as long as possible, and replacing your brush regularly – as soon as the bristles begin to fray or spread.

2. Get regular check ups

Having your teeth inspected regularly means that any issues can be spotted early. When you’re brushing your teeth, you’re unlikely to spot that they may need to be realigned or one of your back molars could really do with a filling.

As Marcos White, practice owner and lead cosmetic dentist at The Courtyard, said, “Good dentistry is about regularity, and you can’t buy that, or rush that.”

We’ve talked before about those of us who have a fear of the dentist – it is real, and common, but we do take extra care with those patients who face their fear with us, so please don’t put off coming in.

3. Floss

We’ve seen some dramatic headlines over the last few years citing research that shows flossing is a waste of time… but it’s not. It’s a fact that only 60% of our teeth can be reached with a toothbrush, which means we need other methods such as dental floss or mouthwash to reach the rest of the tooth. The NHS are still recommending flossing or interdental brushes to reach the rest of the tooth to remove that plaque that you just can’t get to.

If you do come in for that check up, we’ll show you how to floss properly.

4. See a dental hygienist

For a deep clean of your teeth and gums, you need to see a professional. At The Courtyard, our dental hygienists scale and polish your teeth to remove tartar or plaque that you can’t get to at home, which prevents tooth decay and gum disease.

We have a range of packages that include both check ups and hygiene sessions from only £9-£22 a month.

5. Watch what you eat

Dental erosion occurs when tooth enamel is lost because of acid. This can come from acidic or sugary food and drinks like fruit, juices, and fizzy or alcoholic drinks. Using a straw can mitigate some of the damage, but it’s better to cut down or cut them out altogether.

In the same vein, smoking causes staining to your teeth and can lead to worse oral issues.

Taking regular care of your teeth won’t necessarily mean you don’t need further treatments like Invisalign or implants, but it will mean that your tartar, plaque and erosion – and overall oral health – will be kept in check.

You’ll see much better oral hygiene if you work in partnership with your dentist. We offer free consultations, so don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’d like to find out more.