How to have good oral health from the dentist in Birmingham

Here at Sohal Dental Practice, we promote preventive care as well as offering a wide range of treatments for getting a great smile.  Preventive care is all about taking good care of the teeth and gums so that the need for intervention is minimal.  This means that taking the advice of the dentist in Birmingham can help to improve the quality of life and save the patient time and money.

Clean at home

Establishing a good oral health routine at home is vital for achieving healthy teeth and gums.  Brushing should be done twice per day with a medium bristled brush and a good fluoride toothpaste.  Flossing should be done once daily.  Any patient who is unsure about how best to floss should consult with the dentist in Birmingham to learn the best technique and consider the use of interdental brushes as an alternative method.

Regular check-ups

Visiting the dentist in Birmingham for regular check-ups is vital for maintaining good oral health.  We can identify the beginnings of any issues before they become problematic or cause discomfort and take steps to remedy these at the earliest possible stages.  Issues such as gum disease can cause bad breath which can result in low confidence, and if left untreated, can even cause tooth loss which can be devastating.

Drink water

Most tap water contains fluoride, an important mineral which helps to protect the teeth by safeguarding the enamel.  Drinking water throughout the day helps to maintain enamel and prevents the mouth from becoming dry.  Having a dry mouth often causes a person to have bad breath, so staying hydrated allows the patient to feel more confident that their breath will not become stale over the course of the day.

Choosing water as the usual beverage throughout the day on most days also means that the patient can keep their consumption of other drinks to a minimum.  Fizzy drinks (even those which are sugar free), fruit juices and tea and coffee can all damage the enamel of the teeth and cause staining.  Therefore, the patient who drinks mostly water is much more likely to enjoy good oral health.

Get teeth straightened

A patient who has teeth that are crooked, protruding or overcrowded usually finds it much more difficult to have healthy teeth and gums.  This is because teeth that are not straight are much more difficult to keep clean.  Teeth that are misaligned are more likely to have bits of food debris and plaque between them even with the most vigorous tooth brushing and flossing.  This then causes cavities and can result in bad breath and gum disease.

For those who are worried about feeling self-conscious wearing braces, options such as Invisalign may offer the ideal solution.  This is a form of braces that is completely invisible, and which is composed of trays of clear plastic that are worn over the teeth for a couple of weeks at a time before being swapped for a new set.  Invisalign delivers great results without having to change lifestyle and the treatment is usually relatively quick too.