National Smile Month is the UK’s largest and longest-running oral health campaign run by the British Dental Association (BDHF), a UK-based charity. Between May 19th and June 19th Bamboo Dental will be supporting the campaign which runs every year to improve the UK’s Oral health and raise awareness of important health issues, which make a positive difference to the oral health of millions of people. Here are 3 key messages on how you can improve your dental health.
Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
The NHS recommends that you should brush your teeth with fluoride tooth paste twice a day for at least two minutes to help keep your teeth and mouth healthy.By brushing regularly, this stops plaque from building up so you need to make sure you remove as much plaque and leftover bits of food as possible.
Visit the dentist regularly, as often as they recommend.
Most dentists recommend that you visit them every 6 to 12 months depending on how well you look after your teeth, health issues and whether any extra treatment is required. For those of you who need to visit the orthodontist, you will need to visit the dentist more regularly.
Cut down on the frequency of sugary foods and drinks.
When you consume sugary foods or drinks you may be surprised to hear that your teeth are under attack from tooth decay for up to one hour after eating or drinking. This is why many dentists suggest that you should brush your teeth after every meal. The reason for this is because the sugar reacts with the bacteria in plaque (the sticky coating on your teeth) and produce harmful acids. So it’s important to cut down on how often you have sugary foods, which will limit the amount of time your teeth are at risk. Acidic foods and drinks can be just as harmful to your teeth. The acid wears away the enamel, and will leave the dentine uncovered. This is called dental erosion’, and makes your teeth sensitive and less attractive. A diet that is rich in vitamins, minerals, and fresh fruit and vegetables can help to prevent gum disease.
Foods recommended by the British Dental Health Foundation
According to the BDHA 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. If you need to snack between meals, then try and choose foods that don’t contain sugar. Although fruit might seem like the most healthiest option its important to remember that it does contain acids, which can attack your teeth. If you do eat fruit as a snack, try to eat something alkaline such as cheese afterwards. Savoury snacks are better, such as:
- Raw vegetables
- Nuts
- Cheese
- Breadsticks
