Your dental health
Regular dental checkups are important so that any potential problems can be identified earlier rather than later as we grow older. The time between checkups varies for each person depending on your oral health. Your dentist may wish to see you for a follow up appointment anytime from three months up to two years.
To keep your teeth in tip-top condition, it’s advised that you limit certain foods and drinks that can harm tooth enamel. Too much alcohol, sugar and even too much fruit juice can damage the enamel of the teeth, which in turn can lead to tooth decay.
Whiter than white
Many of us want to achieve pearly whites, even though our teeth are not naturally snow white. There are certain substances we consume that can stain our teeth, such as, wine, tea, coffee and cigarettes. To keep teeth as white as possible, it’s important to brush teeth correctly twice a day and floss regularly.
For some, natural-white is not good enough, so there are certain treatments that can be used to make teeth brighter. Teeth whitening is considered a cosmetic treatment, so it’s not available on the NHS except in special cases. The procedure involves visiting a hygienist who will make an impression of your teeth so you have your own unique mouth guard. They will then show you how to apply the whitening gel, which you apply yourself at home for two to four weeks.
Another form of professional teeth whitening is laser whitening. This is where a bleaching product is painted onto the teeth, and a laser is shone on the substance to activate whitening. This is a quick procedure, taking approximately one hour.
The length of time your teeth will remain white following these treatments will vary depending on the individual and the aftercare given.
Don’t try this at home
The current craze for pure white teeth has resulted in a rise in the amount of home teeth whitening products available on the market. Dr Hilary says it’s best to steer clear of these DIY kits because they have been known to cause damage to the teeth and gums, such as sensitivity and blisters.
As well as home whitening kits, many salons offer teeth whitening services. Unless there is a dental specialist performing the bleaching procedure at the salon, then the service is being offered illegally and should be avoided.
Tooth fact
An increasing number of us are keeping our own teeth well into old age. In 1968, 37 percent of adults had no natural teeth, but in 1998 that figure had dropped to just 12 percent. This is due to a better understanding of the importance of regular dental care.
Spit don’t rinse
Most of us will naturally rinse our mouths out after brushing teeth, but experts say this is not correct. Rinsing can wash fluoride off the teeth, giving them less protection.
