Good dental care begins at home
Looking after your teeth and gums
Along with your examinations and hygiene appointments, dental health relies on a good homecare routine and healthy lifestyle. While regular visits to the practice are essential, there is also a great deal you can do at home to maintain healthy teeth and gums, and enjoy a bright smile.
A clean routine
We recommend cleaning your teeth at least twice daily, for at least two minutes each time, with a fluoride toothpaste. Carefully brush the surface of every tooth, and between them, as well as along the gum line. Light pressure is enough to gently clean without damaging the enamel or gums. Remember you can brush your tongue, too!
- Cleaning your teeth first thing – before breakfast – removes plaque and applies fluoride, which strengthens the outer layer of your teeth and reduces the risk of cavities. When you’re done, spit out any excess toothpaste, but don’t rinse with water as this washes away the fluoride.
- If you prefer to wait until after eating, it’s good to rinse your mouth with water to remove particles, and ideally leave at least 20 minutes before brushing, while your saliva neutralises the acid from food and drinks – especially if you’ve had fruit or juice.
- It’s particularly important to protect your teeth while you sleep, so always brush them before bed. This is the best time for a thorough clean, ideally by flossing and using interdental brushes too. This removes the food debris and bacteria that create acid, causing decay, enamel erosion, and gum disease. If you feel too tired, try your cleaning routine a little earlier, when you have more energy. It can help you resist late-night snacking too!
- You might like to brush your teeth more than twice a day, and there’s no reason not to. Perhaps at lunchtime, or after work – as long as you wait at least 20 minutes after eating.
Using the right equipment
Our dentists and hygienists will be happy to advise on the right dental equipment for you to use at home, as well as offering guidance and demonstrations on the best cleaning techniques.
Toothbrushes – for most patients, we recommend using a quality electric toothbrush with soft bristles (or medium if you really prefer). There may be occasions where a manual toothbrush or a single-tufted brush is appropriate, which your dentist or hygienist will advise. If you’re unsure what to use, they’ll be glad to discuss the best options to meet your needs.
Interdental brushes – toothbrushes can’t clean fully between teeth, especially at the back of the mouth. We recommend using interdental brushes, in a range of sizes, to help remove debris and plaque from hard to reach areas.
Dental floss – daily use of floss or tape (or a powered water flosser) helps prevent the build-up of food and plaque between teeth, and along the gum line. As well as a cleaner, healthier mouth, you’ll enjoy fresher breath and less staining between teeth.
Mouthwash – a fluoride mouthwash can strengthen the teeth, but to maximise the benefit, use it at different times of the day rather than immediately after brushing with a fluoride toothpaste. Some mouthwashes are also antibacterial, which helps reduce plaque formation and can be particularly beneficial for patients with gum disease.
Teeth whitening and stain removal
Teeth whitening
While you can try using a whitening toothpaste to improve the appearance of your teeth, these are of limited effect, and only on light, surface-level stains. For heavier, darker staining, or discolouration inside the tooth, we offer professional whitening treatments.
Airflow stain removal
At Caring Dental, our hygienist team use Airflow gentle cleaning, a highly effective system for removing plaque and eliminating surface discolouration. This not only enhances the appearance of your teeth, but also greatly improves your oral health.
Diet and lifestyle
Daily diet and lifestyle choices play a major role in keeping your teeth healthy and bright. Understanding how certain habits affect dental health can help prevent problems before they begin, and preserve the natural appearance of your teeth.
Working together
Good dental health is a partnership between you and our friendly, expert team. We look forward to seeing you for regular check-ups and hygiene appointments, but we are here to help you at any time.
So much dental disease is avoidable with the right advice and preventive care, but importantly the daily discipline to follow a good home care routine. Making a few small changes to our cleaning habits or what we eat and drink can have a profound impact on our dental health, and in turn our general health and quality of life.
Things to keep in mind
- Sugary and acidic foods – frequent consumption of sweets, fizzy drinks, and citrus products can weaken tooth enamel and increase the risk of cavities. Over the years, as the enamel thins, teeth lose their youthful look and can more easily stain and crack.
- Drinks that stain – tea and coffee (especially without milk), along with red wine and coloured soft drinks, can cause surface staining over time.
- Smoking and vaping – tobacco and nicotine products can cause significant staining, dry mouth, and increase the likelihood of gum disease and mouth cancer.
- Good nutrition – a balanced diet is important, including calcium, vitamin D and fibre, to support strong teeth and healthy gums.
- Reduce snacking – frequent grazing gives bacteria more opportunities to produce acid, so eating at regular meal intervals can reduce the risk.
- Staying hydrated – drinking plenty of water helps rinse away food particles and supports saliva production, which protects enamel.
Need some oral hygiene advice?
If you have questions or concerns, or simply need some advice, please contact the practice. If you’d like to arrange an appointment with one of our friendly hygienists, please call reception on 01689 664600 or use our online booking system at any time.