ADVICE TO HELP YOU KEEP YOUR MOUTH SAFE            REDUCING RISK

We hope you are all keeping safe and well. It is strange not seeing you all at the moment.
In general most dental problems are preventable. Normally we are there to fix things when they go wrong, clean the areas you cannot and keep you updated and motivated on how to effectively look after your mouth. We have enjoyed helping you understand what you need to do to keep your mouth as healthy as possible, it is a team effort! It seems that for most of you this is working well judging by the number of calls we have had so far. It has been a pleasure looking after such a well motivated, sensible intelligent group of patients. Even so it will still be possible for dental problems to arise so we hope that the advice below might be helpful, if not you can always ring us on 07973159798.

GOOD NEWS - For most people their teeth should last a life time as most dental disease is preventable, effective regular cleaning and a healthy diet should help keep you safe until normal dentistry resumes. Early gum disease (gingivitis) and tooth decay (caries) is reversible.
More established gum disease involving some bone loss (periodontal disease) can be stabilised in most people.

CHECK LIST FOR KEEPING YOUR MOUTH SAFE
Clean your teeth - effectively and regularly with either a manual or electric toothbrushes or use both
Use disclosing tablets on occassion to check that you are being effective.

Remove the bacteria that can stagnate between your teeth and become harmful. You are trying to keep the gums tight (like elastic bands) to keep the bacteria out of the blood stream and to maintain healthy bone support around your teeth. (this is about interdental cleaning.

Do not brush your teeth straight after consuming acidic foods and drinks, saliva is the best mouthwash money cannot buy and will stabilise the tooth surface in about an hour.
Use a fluoride toothpaste or mouth wash will strengthen the tooth surface especially if you don't rinse out afte brushing at night.

Maintain a healthy diet - with low, infrequent sugar consmption and plenty of coloured veg to keep the gums healthy.
Avoid using your teeth as "tools" or eating risky foods like pop corn or pork crackling
Reducing tooth fractures -Wear a night guard if you grind or clench your teeth to reduce wear and reduce the risk of fractures.

Soft tissue checks - This is very important....using a good light and "bathroom type mirror" have a good look around your mouth every two weeks, paying particular attention to the sides of your tongue and under your tongue but generally anything that looks like an ulcer or isolated red and white patches that doesn't clear up in two weeks or appears to be changing. Often people get quite concerned when they first do this....but issues are very rare but please send us a smart phone photo...usually 10 days apart of anything that vaguely worries you.

INCREASED RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE STRESSES OF THE PANDEMIC.
Changes in diet - comfort eating - increased snacking and sugar.
Tooth clenching and grinding - can be incresed by stress If we have a recent model we can get replacement night guards made or you can try wearing bleaching trays if you have them. If you find yourself clenching during the day put small stickers on you phone, computer screen or anywhere you look regularly to check if your teeth are clenched together.
Changes in daily routine - stay motivated and keep up effective regular tooth cleaning.
Running out of dental products - make sure you have the tooth care products you need - we can send you some products if you are struggling to get hold of what you normally use (just contact us). .