By Dr Sonia Ali
At my practice, Westbourne Grove Dental, we trust in the old saying, ‘Prevention is better than cure.’ That is why we believe in supporting our patients with their oral home care alongside regular hygiene sessions where we clean their teeth and gums.
Combined, they put a smile on all our faces.
Among the most effective preventive dentistry practices you can carry out at home are:
1. Brushing twice a day.
2. Cleaning between the teeth once a day (floss, sticks or brushes).
3. Eating a balanced diet and avoiding sugary drinks and food, especially between meals.
THE CHALLENGE
The main culprit that causes the two most common oral conditions – caries and gum disease – are a result of plaque build-up. They can result in a number of unwanted outcomes, including bad breath, sensitivity, pain and, ultimately, tooth loss.
This is a very common problem. Did you know that around two-thirds of the population have visible plaque, 83% show some sign of gum disease, whilst just under a third exhibit some level of tooth decay?
The Oral Health Foundation, a great resource for patients, defines plaque as ‘A film of bacteria that forms on the surface of the teeth every day.’
They go on to state, ‘You need to make sure you remove all the plaque from your teeth every day. This is done by brushing and cleaning in between the teeth with ‘interdental' brushes or floss.’
I couldn’t agree more!
HELP IS AT HAND
Let’s start our journey together to improve oral health with an effective tooth-brushing technique, which is as simple as 1,2, 3…
1. Use a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste (at least 1,350 ppm) and beware of ‘organic’ or ‘healthy-sounding’ pastes as they typically do not contain fluoride.
2. Ideally, brush for two minutes before breakfast plus at least one other time, preferably 30 minutes after eating and before bedtime. Do one section at a time, using small, circular movements to brush down to the gums, over every surface and not forgetting the backs of the teeth.
3. Spit out the toothpaste, but do not rinse with water, as this will dilute the effectiveness of the fluoride.
WHATS THE BIG DEAL ABOUT FLUORIDE?
People can get nervous when I mention ‘fluoride’ because they think of it as a potentially nasty chemical, but the truth is fluorides are widely found in nature and in products such as tea and fish, and in some natural water supplies.
What’s more, the decline of dental caries (and therefore the reduction in fillings) worldwide over recent decades is largely the result of people’s daily use of fluoride toothpaste.
In fact, the evidence tells us that moving from brushing once a day to twice a day lowers an individual’s risk of developing dental caries by 14%, as it encourages what we in the dental profession call ‘remineralisation’ of the tooth surface.
Essentially, remineralisation is a natural repair process that counteracts the plaque bacteria’s attempts to damage the outer tooth structure (enamel).
So, as you can tell, fluoride is not dangerous and, in fact, can be incredibly beneficial for your oral health.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT BRUSH FOR YOU
The first choice to make is between manual and electric brushes. Both have their merits, and it is probably best to discuss what’s right for you with your dentist, dental hygienist or dental therapist.
As a general rule of thumb, the NHS states that it does not matter whether you use an electric or manual toothbrush as long as you clean all the surfaces of your teeth and use fluoride toothpaste.
Then, irrespective of whether it is manual or electric, according to the Oral Health Foundation, adults should choose a small—to medium-sized brush head.
This should have soft to medium, multi-tufted, round-ended bristles or 'filaments'. The head should be small enough to reach into all parts of the mouth, especially the back of the mouth, which can be difficult to reach.
A SIMPLE ANSWER
There are lots of options out there, but one that stands out from the crowd is the Kent Oral Care Range. Creating your own dental care plan is now very simple, for example, with the Sonik Electric Toothbrush, which uses incredible technology to clean the surface and between teeth really effectively.
Then there is the BRILLIANT Whitening Toothpaste, with a cutting-edge formula that helps to remove tough stains and brighten your smile. It quickly removes discolouration and yellowing, bringing out your teeth's natural white colour and boosting your confidence. It is also gentle on sensitive teeth, and with regular use, you will quickly see clear results.
Plus, with the Subscription Service, you can get new brush heads, toothpaste, and other oral care items as often as you need them, delivered straight to your door. You will save 10% on all subscription plans. That means you can improve your daily teeth cleaning routine with just a few easy steps and at a reduced price.
Kent Oral Care offers a wide selection of oral health products, making meeting your important dental health needs easy.
Author Bio
Dr Sonia Ali is the principal dentist at Westbourne Grove Dental in London. Sonia graduated from the University of Dundee in 2008 with a bachelor’s in dental surgery (BDS) and began her intensive postgraduate training refining her skills to offer her patients the highest-quality treatment. Her main focus is restoring smiles and facial rejuvenation.
Learn more about Sonia here>
