24 tips to boast a beautiful smile

ARE you taking care of your teeth and gums?

September is National Oral Health Month – time to pay extra attention to your dental routine, particularly as two of the world’s most common health problems affect the mouth – cavities and gum disease.

Gum disease ranks second only to the common cold in terms of prevalence, with an estimated 90% of South Africans experiencing the problem at some point.

Practicing good oral hygiene, not only ensures a beautiful smile, but it is good for your health as gum disease has been linked to coronary heart disease, adverse pregnancy outcomes and diabetes.

Local Pinetown dentist, Dr V.P. Mncube from Crompton Health Centre encourages good oral health as it leads to wellness and longevity of teeth.

“Cleanliness, brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing every day and visiting a dentist at least twice a year, will top up your smile and preserve your teeth,” says Mncube

“Flossing teeth is often underestimated but is actually very important. For anyone who can’t afford mouthwash, flossing is a great alternative to maintain healthy teeth. Use mint flavoured, waxed floss and practice a gentle technique of flossing as to not damage your gums,” adds Mncube.

Here are more tips for a healthy and happy mouth:

1.Clean in between your teeth using interdental brushes or floss. This will help to clean a higher portion of the tooth and prevent build-up of plaque.

2. A diet that is rich in vitamins, minerals, and fresh fruit and vegetables can help to prevent gum disease.

3.Eating and drinking naturally weakens the enamel on your teeth, and brushing straight afterwards can cause tiny particles of enamel to be brushed away. It is best not to brush your teeth until at least one hour after eating.

4.Chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva to help prevent your mouth from drying out.

5. If you are a nervous patient, make sure your dentist knows this, including what you most dislike about treatment.

6.To test if you have bad breath, simply lick the inside of your wrist, let it dry and sniff. If the smell is bad, you can be fairly sure you have bad breath.

7. Always tell your dentist about changes to your health, as it may help them prevent gum disease from developing.

8. A glass of water is the best drink to give your child after eating sugary foods.

9. Brush your teeth just before you go to bed and before you have anything to eat or drink at breakfast.

10. Use a mouthwash containing anti-bacterial to help control gum disease.

11. If you or your child has a sweet tooth, look for sugar-free sweets. Those containing Xylitol can help to reduce tooth decay.

12.Quitting smoking will help you reduce the chances of developing a whole host of oral health problems, including gum disease, tooth decay, yellow teeth and mouth cancer.

13. Don’t forget to brush your tongue, or use a tongue scraper.

14. Visit your dentist or hygienist for regular advice and cleaning tips.

15.Introduce your child to the sights and sounds of the dental practice at an early age to allay any dental phobia that might develop. Take them with you when you go for a check-up.

16. Wean your baby off the bottle early to avoid them developing dental problems.

17.Electric toothbrushes are more effective at removing plaque. Those with heads that rotate in both directions and pulsate are the most effective. They are particularly useful for people with limited movement, such as disabled or elderly people, who often find that using a manual toothbrush does not allow them to clean thoroughly.

18.Parents should supervise their children’s tooth brushing, and use only a peasized smear of fluoride toothpaste until they are about 7 years old.

19.If you have sensitivity when brushing your teeth with cold water from the tap, you may need to use warm water instead. It is important you do not avoid brushing your teeth regularly as this could make the problem worse.

20.Cold sores are infectious and the infecting virus can be passed to other people by close contact (such as kissing). A cold sore is most infectious when it is blistering. It is important to try and avoid touching cold sores as you can pass the virus on to other people’s hands and even, very rarely, to your own eyes. Avoid squeezing, pinching or pricking the cold sore as this can spread the infection

21.If you wear dentures, the general rule is: brush, soak, brush. Always clean your dentures over a bowl of water or a folded towel in case you drop them. Brush your dentures before soaking, to help remove any food debris. Using an effervescent (fizzy) denture cleaner will help remove stubborn stains and leave your denture feeling fresher.

22.It is better for your teeth and general health if you eat 3 meals a day plus no more than two snacks, instead of having lots of snack attacks.

23.Still water and milk are good choices. It is better for your teeth if you drink fruit juices just at meal times. If you are drinking them between meals, try diluting them with water and rinsing your mouth with water after drinking. Drinking through a straw can help the drink go to the back of your mouth without touching your teeth.

24. Some dentists may offer home visits for people who are housebound or have difficulty visiting the surgery.