As May marks National Smile Month, now is the perfect time to start thinking about your oral health. During the coronavirus lockdown, dentists expressed their concern over the number of patients missing appointments. Good oral hygiene helps to protect our overall health, as well as giving us that perfect smile.

Here, we will reveal some of the best ways to protect your oral health in light of National Smile Month.

Improve your daily routine

There are a lot of things you can do in your daily routine to improve your oral hygiene.

Making sure you brush twice a day is the first thing to focus on. It might seem harmless to skip brushing your teeth at night for example. However, plaque can build-up, leading to long term health issues. As well as brushing twice each day, you should also make sure you are brushing for two minutes at a time with a fluoride toothpaste.

Flossing is equally important as it helps to remove bits of food and plaque between the teeth. Typically, you are told to floss after you have brushed. However, there is some evidence to suggest that flossing beforehand helps to make brushing your teeth more effective.

A good tip is to spit the toothpaste out, rather than rinse it out. When you rinse the toothpaste away, it can also remove the fluoride. This is what helps to protect the teeth, so washing it away will cause the toothpaste to be ineffective.

To complete your daily oral routine, using a fluoride mouthwash can also help. It will prevent any plaque from building up, clearing away any debris. Of course, it also helps to give you a nice minty, fresh breath.

Be wary of what you eat

When it comes to snacks, not all of them are great for your teeth. While snacking can form a healthy part of your diet, eating sugary foods can prove detrimental to your dental health.

If you do need to snack, focus on healthy, non-sugary foods. Nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables are all great snack choices for the teeth.

Consider dental treatments

As well as keeping your oral health in check at home, there are some great dental treatments to help keep the teeth healthy. A straightening treatment can help to correct issues such as food getting stuck between the teeth. An Invisalign straightening treatment uses clear aligners that sit comfortably in your mouth, so there is little interference in your daily life. It also gives you a more confident smile.

You can also opt for a teeth whitening treatment. These are great for removing stains from the teeth, as well as to achieve a natural looking brighter smile in next to no time.

To ensure your teeth and gums are as healthy as they can be, book a consultation with CK Dental today. Call us on 0117 905 9866 or email info@ckdental.co.uk .