Why It is Important to Use a Toothbrush Properly

Ever since we were small children we have always been encouraged to use a toothbrush and to clean our teeth thoroughly. When we use a toothbrush we are not only making sure that we remove bacteria that causes tooth decay from our mouths, we are also preventing the onset of gum disease, which can cause health issues that are far more serious than losing a tooth.

Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter, explains: “The link between oral health and overall body health is well documented and backed by robust scientific evidence.” (www.nhs.uk) He also goes on to say that people with bad oral health are more likely to suffer strokes, heart disease and diabetes. What is most alarming is that most people are not aware that using a toothbrush correctly can reduce these risks.

The most effective way to prevent any of the dangers from gum disease is to make sure that you clean your teeth everyday using a relatively new toothbrush and toothpaste with fluoride in it.  Two minutes twice a day is the recommended length of time that will produce a thorough clean, you can also boost your cleaning routine with dental floss and a mouthwash.  This video will show you how:-

Of course regular visits to your dentist will make sure that any gum problems are detected before they become hazardous.

Toothpaste…Why So Many Different Types?

Are you confused by all of the different types of toothpaste? Not really sure what you are putting in your mouth?  We realised that we don’t entirely know all the various kinds and what they are used for. (Apart from some of the obvious ones!) So we are going to do some toothpaste demystifying!

Fluoride – Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral which is an important ingredient of toothpaste. It makes your tooth enamel stronger and therefore less likely to suffer from acid damage. The thing to remember is not to swallow it!

Sensitive – Sensitive toothpaste contains potassium nitrate which can help reduce tooth sensitivity. Sensitivity is a common problem which a lot of people will experience at some point in their life but using sensitive toothpaste can be a massive help and reduce it dramatically so hot and cold drinks can be enjoyed just as they should be! However, there is usually a root (no pun intended…or is there…?) to the problem which should be looked into.

Smokers – Unsurprisingly, smokers toothpaste is recommended for people who smoke or who have smoked who are likely to have more than averagely stained teeth. It usually contains special agents which remove these stains.

Whitening – A very popular type of toothpaste, whitening toothpaste contain abrasives to remove stains and make teeth whiter.

Herbal – Becoming more popular these days, herbal toothpaste is a more natural cleaning product. It is also used by people who may be sensitive to ingredients in other toothpastes.

Children’s – Children’s toothpaste typically contains less fluoride than adults toothpaste. This is because their teeth and mouths are more sensitive. Kids are also a swallow risk, so to speak, and since fluoride can be harmful and give an upset stomach, it is best to keep it to a minimum.

 

There are a fair few other very specific toothpastes too but we don’t want to overload you! The best one is whichever one you like enough to want to use everyday.

6 Ways You Might Be Ruining Your teeth

1. Brushing too hard – You might think you are doing a thorough cleaning job when you really put your arm to work when brushing your teeth, but in actual fact, brushing vigorously can do more harm than good. Your gums are pretty sensitive things and going at them like there’s no tomorrow is not a good idea. Brushing hard can also damage enamel and lead to sensitive teeth. An electric toothbrush can be great to help you develop a more gentle brushing habit.
2. Sugary and acidic food or drink – This one is probably not a surprise to you. We hear about it a lot and for good reason really. You’ve seen the penny in the Coke test haven’t you (if not, click here). See what the sugary drink does to metal, imagine what it does to you teeth! They wear away the enamel on the tooth which is a problem because it doesn’t grow back. If you really can’t resist their sugary goodness then be sure not to swirl it around your mouth, using a straw, although it may feel silly, will also help protect your teeth a bit. Oh and definitely be sure to limit the amount you allow any little people in your care to drink because their teeth are more susceptible to acid and they aren’t usually quite as good at cleaning them as adults are. Plus their teeth have more years to last!

3. Hot and cold together – Drinking a hot cup of tea and chasing it with a bowl of ice cream is not a wise idea. This is because when you eat or drink something hot, the enamel of your teeth expands and then when you ingest something cold the enamel contracts again. This can cause very thin breaks, fractures almost, to occur. Teeth expand and contract all the time according to temperature but when it is done too quickly, that’s when damage can occur.
4. Mistaking them for tools – This might sound obvious but teeth aren’t tools. Using them to open bottles, cans or packets of sweets can cause tiny cracks to occur or even big breaks! We’re talking half a tooth breaking off or a filling coming out, which we know you would regret instantly.
5. Not brushing and flossing enough – Not maintaining a good brush and floss routine drastically increases the chances of cavities rearing their ugly heads. Not sticking to your cleaning routine can also increase chances of gum problems and, of course, bad breath. Two minutes twice a day will do the job and don’t forget to floss!
6. Whitening them too often – Whitening strips and gel contain a weak acid and using such products again and again can weaken enamel. It’s normal to want a nice bright and shiny smile but remember that a ‘normal’ tooth colour is ivory not dazzling white.

Plain Mint Toothpaste Too Boring For You?

Apparently, mint toothpaste is a little too old fashioned for 2014.  The in thing right now is flavoured toothpaste.

You might have seen in the news about chocolate flavour toothpaste which is on sale in the UK for a whopping £60!  It doesn’t include fluoride in it’s ingredients and so is promoted as being family friendly and also tasting like pudding. Not so convinced? To be honest, we aren’t either.  The sensation of brushing your teeth with chocolate is perhaps a little too strange. 

However, if you are looking to spice up your tooth brushing routine there are many other flavoured toothpastes about which might not seem quite so odd.  The GC MI Paste Plus range comes in lots of different flavours – classic mint, tutti frutti, melon, strawberry and vanilla and we’ve heard they are pretty popular.  They come with all the normal benefits of regular toothpaste but also contains the formula RECALDENT (a calcium and phosphate mixture) which cleans, seals and polishes teeth also!

Those flavours sound rather delicious but whatever you choose to use just make sure you are brushing twice a day!

A Shining Smile

Nowadays more than ever an importance is being put on that perfect Hollywood smile. It can be hard to keep them shiny white with so many of our favourite foods and drinks staining our teeth.  In our increasingly cosmetic and aesthetic concerned world people are going to further lengths to achieve those pearly whites. The dental industry has seen a marked increase in cosmetic procedures including tooth whitening and tooth alignment, now becoming ever more popular in adults, thanks to advancements in technology.  Tooth whitening is something that can be done in a dentist practice or something that can be done at home. So if this is something you are interested in, read on!

Whitening at the dentist

Firstly, an initial consultation will determine the best method for each individual as not everyone is a good candidate to have a whitening procedure.  To see how tooth whitening is done at the dentist and for a video demonstration click here.  This procedure is done with a hydrogen peroxide gel which is aided by a Zoom! light which helps the gel penetrate the surface of the tooth.

Tooth whitening at home

If opting for a whitening gel treatment at home, you will need a dental tray.  These can be custom made to give a good fit and most effective whitening to your own teeth either in surgery or by making a mould of your teeth yourself and then sending it away to be made.  Or some come with a basic tray in the pack.  The gel is applied and the tray put in place overnight to get to work and supposedly can give visible results after just one treatment.

The simplest and cheapest method is using a whitening toothpaste regularly at home each time you brush your teeth.  These will give the most gradual and gentle results.

For a selection of whitening gels and toothpaste have a look here