People come to us all the time as their dentist in Glasgow, asking how they can better the state of their teeth. They want to know why their teeth are always yellow despite brushing. The reason for this of course is lack of oral hygiene and this why many are the unfortunate recipients of a cavity-filled mouth.
For the most part, the teeth issues often experienced are because people do not look after their teeth, mouth and gums properly.
What we often see at Tiwari Watson Dental Care is that people want a brilliant white smile but without having to put in the effort. At the same time, they have not been taught the correct techniques of teeth brushing nor has the importance of flossing been stressed enough to them.
Read our handy tips and advice on how to maintain a healthy mouth to prevent infections and tooth decay in the future.
Recommendations from a dentist in Glasgow
Two to three minutes of brushing twice a day, flossing once a day and rinsing with mouthwash is all you need to do to remove most harmful bacteria from your mouth.
Germs also live in your gums, the roof of your mouth and your tongue – so be sure to clean these areas of your mouth too, thoroughly.
There is no fine art to brushing your teeth, but people tend to clean up and down when a circular motion works best.
Replace your toothbrush with a new one when the bristles become soft and frayed, or after you are sick. An old and worn brush will not clean your teeth as effectively, and one covered in germs will only make you sick again.
Signs your teeth are in trouble
You might encounter signs of an unhealthy mouth despite your best efforts. The question is: when should you make an appointment with the dentist? At the first sign of trouble – avoidance will only exacerbate the issue.
Any medical professional will tell you that tending to small problems prevent them from becoming larger ones. You might be embarrassed or feel that you are paranoid, but trust your gut instinct if something is not quite right.
What to look out for
Red gums are an early sign of the gum disease Gingivitis. If left untreated, the disease progresses into periodontitis, which could result in bone deterioration and tooth loss. Gingivitis is easily treated with a deep clean by an oral hygienist.
Softer enamel could mean that you have a cavity needing to be filled. Abscesses develop from these holes, and an abscess can lead to an infected tooth which we can then only treat with root canal surgery.
Marks and stains on your teeth are caused by smoking and drinking too much coffee, tea and red wine – with a scale, polish and the use of an abrasive cleaning agent, we can remove these unsightly and unwanted spots for you.
Cut back on bad habits and follow a healthy diet
Sugar is not only bad for your skin and overall health, but it also erodes your teeth and causes cavities.
Bacteria create a harmful acid from the sugar molecules that attack the enamel of your tooth, leading to inevitable decay. At the same time, you can break or chip a tooth while biting down on a hard boiled sweet.
Try keeping to a diet made up of vegetables, cheese, nuts, and meat, and limit your intake of carbohydrates. Bread and pasta, made from refined flour, contain starch that comprises of high levels of sugar.
We know that a visit to the dentist in Glasgow is not high on anyone’s agenda, but it is essential to see us twice a year to keep your mouth healthy and germ-free.