From a young age we are aware of the importance of keeping our teeth healthy. Aside from brushing them ourselves, we are also told to make sure we attend regular dentist appointments.
However, in recent years this has become more difficult in the UK, with reports of a shortage in dentists and appointments available on the NHS. In fact, in October this year the British Dental Association estimated that around 12 million people in England are struggling to get the appointments they desperately need.
With this in mind, an expert spoke with Express.co.uk about the importance of protecting your teeth and gums.
Navin Khosla, a pharmacist at NowPatient, explained: “Unfortunately, the dentist crisis in the UK hasn’t improved since the pandemic and many Brits are unable to pay to seek private help, which highlights the importance of understanding how to correctly care for your teeth and gums to prevent decay, gum disease and other health implications.
“There are several steps we can all take to promote healthier oral hygiene, such as brushing our teeth twice a day and remembering to floss and use mouthwash, as these practices will help to reduce tartar and plaque build-up, while also protecting the health of our gums.
“Consuming less sugar, drinking more water and quitting smoking are also important changes we can implement into our daily routines.
“However, while taking care of our teeth and gums is essential, so is spotting the early signs of potential issues.
“If you start to experience symptoms such as sensitive teeth, swollen gums, bleeding around the gums, pain while chewing or notice your gums pulling away from your teeth, you could be experiencing gum disease.
“Even if you’re unable to get an appointment with your local dentists, we’d recommend seeking their advice as they may be able to offer you an emergency appointment or point you in the right direction.”
He shared five easy ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Brush your teeth twice a day
Cleaning your teeth twice a day is key in protecting your teeth and gums and will prevent potential implications further down the line, such as tooth decay and gum disease.
Navin advised: “Using a soft bristle toothbrush, gently brush your teeth on all sides and opt for fluoride toothpaste.”
Floss daily
Flossing isn’t part of many people’s daily routines, but doing so helps to reduce plaque build-up, as well as reduces the risk of cavities and gum disease.
“Flossing at least once a day will help to keep your teeth and gums strong, as well as help maintain fresh-smelling breath,” he said.
Reduce your sugar intake
Sugar is one of the main causes of tooth decay, so cutting down on sugary foods and drinks will help to reduce the amount of decay developing in your mouth, as well as helping you to live a healthier lifestyle overall.
Navin recommended: “Begin by swapping full-fat drinks to diet and gradually start to consume more water.”
Quit smoking
Smoking can have a detrimental impact on the health of your gums and increases the chances of tooth loss.
“Tobacco reduces the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream, which means if your gums aren’t in good condition, they won’t be able to heal as quickly and for those who smoke, gum disease develops much faster compared to non-smokers,” Navin said.
Use a therapeutic mouthwash
Using a therapeutic mouthwash over a cosmetic one can provide many benefits for your oral hygiene.
He added: “Using mouthwash after brushing will help to clean the areas that the brush may not have reached and will help to prevent gum disease, reduce tartar and plaque build-up and keep your breath smelling fresher for longer.”
