General Healthy Mouth Tips

1. Regular check-ups with your dentist/hygienist are a key part of any dental health routine.  More than 120 disease signs and symptoms can now be detected through a routine oral examination.  Take your diary with you and book your next appointment before leaving the dental surgery.  It is never too late to start looking after your teeth and gums.  Your dentist or hygienist will ‘scale and polish’ your teeth and show you the best methods for toothbrushing and how to floss.

2. Look out for the tell-tale signs of gum disease (gingivitis). If you notice any of these signs, consult your dentist/hygienist for advice.

• Inflamed gums which bleed easily, especially when brushing
• An unpleasant taste in your mouth
• Bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Regular mouth infections

3. Maintaining good oral health is just like maintaining your general health - exercise regularly, eat a healthy balanced diet and keep to a normal body weight.

4. If you are a smoker stop!  Smoking can make gum disease worse.  Smokers are more likely to produce the bacterial plaque that leads to gum disease.  Smoking also leads to less oxygen in the bloodstream and so infected gums do not heal.  Smoking can lead to tooth staining, more tooth loss due to gum disease (gingivitis), bad breath and, in more severe cases, cancer of the mouth.

If you need help or advice about stopping smoking, you can call the free NHS Smoking helpline on 0800 169 0 169. Advice is available between 7am-11pm seven days a week. Your GP will also be able to advise you about smoking services in your local area. www.nhs.uk/smokefree   

5. With minor problems around your mouth, teeth and gums, never be afraid to seek advice from your local pharmacist.  They have been trained to assist you and to recommend suitable products to help your condition.  If they suspect anything of a more serious nature, they will always refer you to your dentist/hygienist.

6. Each time you eat or drink anything sugary, your teeth are under 'acid attack' for up to one hour after eating. This acid can bore a hole in the tooth and, in worst cases, expose the dentine, which can cause toothache. Do your best to avoid sweets, cakes, biscuits, or anything with added sugar.   Using a straw with fizzy drinks and chewing sugar-free gum to help minimise the effect of sugary food & drink.