1. Brush your teeth
Did you guess this would be number 1?. 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 Australia's Oral Health Tracker, only half of the Australian adults brush twice a day regularly.
After eating food we recommend waiting 60 minutes as it temporarily softens your enamel. Another excellent tip is to spit out toothpaste after brushing and don’t rinse this helps keep the fluoride from the toothpaste on your teeth as long as possible. Finally replacing your brush regularly – as soon as the bristles begin to fray or spread.
2. Floss
Did you guess this would be no 2?
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 75% of our teeth can be reached with a toothbrush, which means we need other methods such as dental floss, interdental brushes or mouthwash to reach the rest of the tooth.
If you do come in for that check up, we’ll show you how to floss properly. NO SAWING!
3. Get regular check ups
Having your teeth regularly checked means that any issues can be spotted early. This is where the Smilo app gives our patients a significant advantage.
When you’re brushing your teeth, you’re unlikely to spot that they may need to be realigned or that one of your back molars could really do with a filling.
4. See a dental hygienist
For a complete thorough clean of your teeth and gums, you need to see a professional. Our dental hygienists and Oral Health Therapists scale and polish your teeth to remove tartar (calculus) 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 $20-35 a month.
5. Watch what you put in your mouth
Dental erosion occurs when tooth enamel is dissolved and lost because of acid. This can only come from 2 places. One, your stomach - so if you have acid reflux/heartburn you can also have significant tooth damage. Secondly it can come from acidic or sugary food and drinks like fruit, juices, and fizzy or alcoholic drinks. Using a straw can reduce some of the damage, but it’s better to cut down or cut them out altogether.
Another cause of damage is smoking and vaping. Smoking causes staining to your teeth and can lead to worse oral issues and bone loss and gum disease.
Taking regular care of your teeth won’t necessarily mean you don’t need further treatments like Aligners or implants, but it will mean that your tartar, plaque and erosion – and overall oral health – will be controlled. You’ll see much better oral hygiene if you work in partnership with your dentist and dental team.
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