Blog

Taking Care of Your Oral Health

27/08/2020

Due to the coronavirus pandemic many dental practices have reduced appointments available as well as existing treatment plans to reschedule, meaning you may find it difficult to arrange a routine check up. At Northway we are currently prioritising patients that are in pain and discomfort, to find out more about how we are prioritising patients and why we have reduced capacity, check out our patient update: https://www.northway-dental.co.uk/patient-update/

In the meantime, prevention is key to keep your smile healthy and avoid the need for any emergency treatment. Here’s a run down of our best advice to keep your mouth healthy, and top symptoms to watch out for between check ups.

1. Brush twice daily.

It’s an obvious one, but also an important one, especially when you may not be able to visit your hygienist. Brushing twice daily removes plaque and prevents build-up that can lead to tooth decay. Our top tips to remember when brushing include always using a fluoride-based toothpaste, floss between your teeth, brush for at least 2 minutes and finally, brush your tongue every day!

Brushing your tongue is important to remove bacteria and avoid smelly breath! Flossing is also important as brushing only removes 60% of plaque, with the rest hiding between your teeth.

Remember, spit out the excess toothpaste but don’t rinse. The remaining toothpaste is full of ingredients that will help protect your teeth.

2. Try to follow a healthy balanced diet.

We all know sugary foods can cause havoc on our teeth! Whilst eating sugary foods in moderation is absolutely fine, it’s important to remember that sugar is the cause of the bacteria that attacks your teeth after eating. You can help reduce this process by swilling water around your mouth to rinse your teeth after enjoying a sugary snack.

It is also important to watch out for acidic food and drink. Acid and hidden sugars can be lurking in ‘healthy’ choices such as breakfast cereals and fruit juices.

3. Try to manage anxiety, or be aware of any maxillofacial symptoms.

Many people have understandably reported feeling more anxious over recent months, but many don’t realise this anxiety can manifest in their mouths. Stress can lead to a condition called bruxism, more commonly called teeth grinding, that can lead to headaches, earache, broken teeth, pain and swelling.

A key tactic to reduce this is trying to de-stress before sleep, however if the problem persists you may need a mouth guard to protect your teeth.

4. Symptoms that may suggest tooth decay:

Toothache

Sensitivity to hot or cold foods

Discomfort when eating sugary foods or fizzy drinks

Pain or discomfort when biting down

Staining on your tooth, which might appear as white or dark spots on the teeth

If you have any of these symptoms it is best to call your Dentist for advice.

5. Things to look for in-between check ups:

Ulcers that do not heal

Bleeding

Numbness

Unexplained lumps

Changes in colour or texture of your palate and gums.

If you experience any of the above symptoms make sure to call your Dentist at the earliest opportunity.

If you have any questions or require advice about a dental issue make sure to call or email Northway on 0151 526 2701 or email @northway-dental.co.uk. Our friendly team look forward to speaking with you.