Seven quick tips for amazing teeth

From tongue scraping to the micronutrients to eat, an easy guide to perfect pearly whites
Reena Wadia
Reena Wadia5 April 2022

One of London’s top dentists, Dr Reena Wadia has some quick tips for keeping your teeth fresh all day, every day.

Digitize, then deodorise

Brushing your teeth can be as simple or as high tech as you require. An electric toothbrush should be in our standard routine but if you want to stay ahead of the game, the latest high-tech versions come with a bespoke app to track the quality of your brushing. You need to place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the spot where the gums and teeth meet, angle upwards for the upper teeth and downwards for the lower teeth. Spend a few seconds per tooth. Look for ‘oscillating-rotating’ technology.

Get in there

Clean between your teeth. When you brush your teeth, you’re only cleaning half of the surfaces of your teeth, front and back. You’re neglecting the two sides your toothbrush doesn’t touch. Flossing or use of interdental brushes between your teeth is the way to get into every angle, which is crucial to ensure ultimate teeth and gum health. Interdental brushes are your first choice if these fit in between your teeth. They come in various sizes and you need to ensure a snug fit so go for the largest size that fits. You’ll often need a variety of sizes. If the interdental brushes don’t fit then floss is your next best option.

Spring cleaning

Tongue scraping/cleaning can be a helpful part of your oral healthcare regime. The tongue is like a carpet, which can harbour bacteria and debris. If these are not regularly removed, a tongue coating forms, and this is one of the biggest causes of bad breath. Once you’ve got used to it, your mouth won’t feel clean without it.

A good ol’ chin wag

Practice awareness and stretching exercises to keep your jaw in good shape. Clenching and grinding your teeth, also known as bruxism, can create enough wear and tear to damage your teeth over time. It’s a common problem, and most people don’t know they are doing it. One of the most common symptoms is jaw ache and simple exercises can help relieve pain. Stretching exercises can help normalise the jaw muscles and joints and other muscles along the side of the head. Try gently stretching your jaw open and closed when you feel tension creep up.

Vitamin T

We all know the importance of a healthy balanced diet, but do you eat for your mouth? Micronutrients such as Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E and magnesium are important for healthy gums. And of course, to protect your teeth, avoid regular acidic foods and drinks throughout the day.

Revamp your routine

Trust the professionals. Everyone needs to visit a hygienist and a dentist on a regular basis to maintain oral health. Everyone is different but an ideal would be 3-4 times a year for the hygienist. Get into the habit of booking regular maintenance appointments with your hygienist.

Flavoured fact

Did you know a small piece of cheese can come to your rescue when you eat it during and at the end of your meals. It can help neutralise the acids which are damaging to the teeth.

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