Sophie’s top tips for teeth care during isolation
Hello everyone, it’s Sophie here. I am the Hygienist Therapist at North Street Dental. I am going to be sharing with you my top tips for caring for your teeth during isolation.
Of course these tips are not just relevant for this isolation period and are recommended for all year round, but due to the recent Government rules we cannot currently be providing routine dental treatment.
We are only able to provide emergency treatment for now which means your oral health care is in your hands (just for a bit). So hopefully by following this advice, your mouth will be clean and healthy read for your next routine appointment!
So lets get on to those top tips…
Watch our video on top tips for teeth care during isolation
Tip 1. To brush your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes
A recent survey found that only two thirds of UK adults brush their teeth twice a day, that’s around 60%! It’s a pretty low number. And now we all have time on our hands there should be no excuse really should there? You can use either a manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush for 2 minutes twice a day – in the morning and in the evening.
The evening brush is to get rid of plaque and food debris that has built up from eating and drinking throughout the day and the morning brush is to remove bacteria that builds up overnight which can often result in morning breath. Getting your teeth brushed regularly will help to keep them feeling clean and fresh.
Tip 1 – brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes
Tip 2. To do daily interdental cleaning
The reason why we should be cleaning between our teeth is because even though the adverts tell us they do, our toothbrushes do not get all the way into the spaces between our teeth. The interdental space (the gaps between our teeth) are an easy place for plaque and food debris to remain causing the gums here to become inflamed and irritated if it is not cleaned out. This then results in bleeding and swollen gums often called ‘Gingivitis’. This condition can be easily resolved with good oral hygiene.
There are a couple of options for interdental cleaning. The first is a floss. I often recommend tape floss because it is a little wider than thread floss. Tape can be more forgiving and gentle if you were to slip. This is to be used by sliding between the teeth from tooth tip to gum and bringing back out again along the side of the teeth.
The second option is to use an interdental brush or a pick such as type brushes. These are to be moved in the gap along the gum line from one side of the tooth to the other to push out anything that may be between the teeth.
Either of these options should be used daily to keep bacteria levels in the mouth low.
The survey also said that only 27% of adults use interdental cleaning, so why not use this isolation period to become someone who not only brushes twice a day but also uses regular interdental cleaning? I can guarantee your mouth will be thanking you for it.
Tip 2 – to do daily interdental cleaning
Tip 3. To use a fluoride toothpaste
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in our water but also is added to toothpaste. Fluoride strengthens the enamel which is the outer layer of our teeth and by keeping it strong, it can help prevent against decay. If decay gets deeper into the tooth it can result in needing a filling.
Most toothpastes contain fluoride but not all do. You can check that your toothpaste contains fluoride by looking at the back of the packaging in the ingredients section. The amount of fluoride will be written in brackets as a number and then followed by ‘ppm’. This means the amount of fluoride per parts per million. Use it twice a day when you brush as a simple way to protects against tooth decay.
Tip 3 – use a fluoride toothpaste
So there you have it. Those are my top 3 tips.
Of course nothing replaces your regular check up and clean with your dentist and hygienist but by following this advice you are reducing your risk of any problems occurring. I would recommend that once you are out of isolation and can get in with your dental practice, that you are booked for both a check up and a scale and polish to keep your mouth happy and healthy.
We haven’t left denture wearers out – check out our denture tips isolation post.
Until then, stay home and safe and we shall hopefully be seeing you soon.
