London SE1 dentist says good oral hygiene is essential.

London SE1 dentist says good oral hygiene is essential.

01 / 07 / 2012

It cannot be overstated how important good oral hygiene is. Damaged teeth and gums can cause immense pain, long term issues and a complete loss of self-esteem. A regular routine of brushing and flossing is necessary to make sure your teeth and gums stay healthy.

Throughout the day food particles and plaque will begin to build up, lining your teeth, using a soft toothbrush with a fluoride toothpaste will eliminate the vast majority of the material and prevent this bad material from causing tooth decay. Flossing, or interdental brushing, will remove debris that gathers in between your teeth, and cannot be reached by a regular brush. When the build up of plaque is not regularly removed it will harden and become calcified, this is referred to as ‘calculus’, and becomes hard to remove yourself.

Regular visits, at least once a year, to your London SE1 dentist will assure that this stubborn calculus is removed. Your dentist will be able to use high powered dental instruments to remove the most stubborn material. They will also be able to do a polishing to maintain the healthy white look of your smile. Your dentist will be able if there is anything specific that you need to do to assure your own oral hygiene.

Alongside tooth decay, gum disease is an equally dangerous dental problem. Gum disease is when the soft tissue around the teeth becomes infected. The infection can build up inside the tooth or in pockets along the gums. Without proper treatment, sometimes involving root canal surgery, the infection can spread and cause serious, long lasting damage to teeth, gums and jaw bone. Proper oral hygiene will prevent the build up of bacteria and significantly reduce the risk of gum disease. Some anti-bacterial mouthwashes may also help to reduce the chance of infection.