Have you ever wondered how dentists keep their teeth looking healthy? What if we told you we adhere to the same advice as we give our patients?

It’s the really simple habits, along with consistency, that help dentists avoid issues ranging from decay and sensitivity to tooth loss and discolouration.

In our latest blog, we’ve explored the 5 essential tips we swear by as dentists:

• Use an electric brush (more than twice a day.

• Avoid mouthwash (only using it when clinically necessary).

• Flossing after every meal.

• Learning to nose-breathing to avoid multiple associated dental conditions.

Use an electric brush (more than twice a day)

You’ve probably already read about how electric brushes perform far better than manual brushes when removing plaque – dentists can sound a bit like a broken record where this is concerned! But did you know that you don’t need to limit brushing to twice a day?

If you’re regularly getting food stuck in between your teeth after meals, give your teeth a floss and a brush afterwards to make sure it’s dislodged and dealt with before it can turn to plaque.

The electric sonic toothbrushes of today are particularly effective, outputting 33,000 powerful sonic vibrations per minute (which is beyond human dexterity, no matter how hard we try!)

With this high rate of vibrations, the toothbrush head can efficiently clean your teeth without causing problems like gum recession (which often happens when people brush too hard with a manual brush). They don’t have to cost the earth either (in more ways than one). Brands like Suri are reasonably priced, and care about the planet too.

Floss after every meal (and before brushing)

Most of the foods we eat (bar soup!) will inevitably leave some food particles behind in between our teeth. Flossing accesses the 30% of tooth surfaces that don’t get cleaned when we brush, so it’s essential to cover these every day and after every meal, using floss.

One of the questions we’re most asked by patients is “which comes first, flossing or brushing?” and it’s a valid one, as it can help you maximise your oral health efforts.

Studies have shown that flossing first and then using your brush results in greater fluoride retention between teeth, as flossing dislodges the bacteria and residue between your teeth. Your brush can then remove anything left behind by your dental floss.

Avoiding mouthwash (only using it when clinically necessary)

It can be tempting to use mouthwash every time you perform your oral hygiene routine – many mouthwashes leave your mouth tasting and smelling pleasant. However, dentists aren’t fans of mouthwash, unless it’s used as an antiseptic to treat conditions like ulcers.

Many mouthwashes contain high levels of alcohol, which through a process called protein denaturation, can destroy the protective mucous membranes in your mouth, increasing your susceptibility to carcinogens.

If you do wish to use mouthwash, make sure you choose an alcohol-free variety, and ask a dentist if you need further advice.

Learning to nose-breathe

Whilst breathing through your mouth alone won’t directly cause oral health-related issues, it can lay a foundation for problems to arise in the future.

Breathing through your mouth can cause a myriad of issues including:

• A dry mouth – when your oral cavity is dry, saliva can’t do the vital job of neutralising the acids in your mouth, inviting tooth decay and gum disease.

• Tooth positioning – chronic mouth breathing in children can affect the development of their facial bones and the position of their teeth. With misaligned teeth, they are more vulnerable to decay, as well as the potential self-esteem issues that can come with having a crooked smile.

• Bad breath - mouth breathing can lead to halitosis or bad breath. A dry mouth lacks the necessary saliva to cleanse the mouth and remove particles that can cause odour.

You can prevent mouth breathing by practising nasal breathing exercises, clearing your nasal passages when you’re congested, altering your sleep position, engaging in regular exercise, and using mouth tape at night to encourage nasal breathing when you sleep.

Read our comprehensive blog on the impact of mouth breathing and how to overcome it here.

The takeaway

When performed consistently, the above tips will pay dividends to your oral health. But consistency really is key.  

We’ve seen huge changes in patients who have embraced the tips above, and we always encourage them not to give them up, or to slack off for a couple of days – even a couple of missed days can be enough to derail your efforts altogether.

If you need further advice regarding any of the tips above, please contact a dentist at Nova Smiles, completely free of charge, using this form.