Seven steps to Dental Health and Healthy Teeth:

Taking care of your own teeth is about more than just brushing them. You need to understand that what you eat and how often, has an impact on your oral health. Oral health depends on many factors including diet, medication and the amount of saliva you have in your mouth; as well as personal habits and your overall general health routine.

Get yourself into a daily dental routine. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and if possible after each meal that you eat, as it stops the bacteria breaking down the sugar in the food that you just ate; which if left, becomes the first step in dental decay. Try to floss once a day also, as it is important to get in-between your teeth to free any bits of remaining food that may have been left there; as they will also start to breakdown and cause dental decay.

Use Fluoride. Most of us get enough of a daily supply from our toothpastes and mouthwashes, but if you have a certain medical condition, your dentist is the best to guide you on the amount of fluoride that you need. He can give you a prescription or recommendation, depending on your dental requirements and needs.

Visit your dentist regularly. A six monthly or once a year visit is recommended and is vital to keep your teeth and gums in good general health. Your body and mouth are connected in that, if there is a problem with one it can lead to a problem with the other.

Smoking or use of any tobacco substances increases your risk to discolouration of your teeth, gingivitis, tooth decay or even oral cancer. So if you smoke – try to quit.

Watch what you eat. Plaque is the biggest problem with dental health. After each meal food remains around the surface of your teeth and gums, the longer you leave it to brush after eating, allows the sugars and starches that remain to cause a bacteria which produce an acid to breakdown the food; it is this acid that damages the surface of your teeth, if left un-cleaned the bacteria will be the cause of cavities in your teeth.

Give yourself regular examinations; look at your teeth in the mirror, to see if there are any cracks or discolouration and also at the colour of your gums and their condition. Changes can include swelling of the gums, cheeks and tongue. Particularly give yourself checks if you are a tobacco user, as you are more prone to changes than a person who doesn’t smoke.