When we eat and drink every day food particles build up little by little in our mouth, caught between our teeth. Without cleaning our teeth, these food particles will begin to rot, which causes bad breath. It will also cause plaque and eventually tartar to start to grow around the teeth. This discolours the teeth, affecting your appearance, but it can also lead to the teeth becoming damaged and weakened due to the tooth’s enamel being eroded. Eventually this will cause cavities or even more serious problems such as tooth loss. Gum disease can be another consequence of inadequate dental hygiene.

Dental hygiene at home

To help prevent this it is important to maintain good dental hygiene at home. The most important step is of course brushing the teeth with fluoride toothpaste, at least twice a day. Do not brush too vigorously, as this can damage sensitive tissues. Flossing is also important, as this will help to clean between the teeth, an area that cannot be reached with a toothbrush and so is more prone to decay. The use of a fluoride mouthwash is also important, as this will help to rinse and clean the whole mouth, again, including areas that cannot be reached with a toothbrush. In addition, a good diet is important, particularly one that avoids too many sugary foods – especially between meals.

Dental hygiene at the practice

Even with a good hygiene routine, it’s a good idea to visit your dentist in the City of Liverpool occasionally for a professional clean, or a scale and polish. This will ensure that teeth remain as clean as possible, as well as helping them to look and feel better in your mouth. A professional hygienist can of course provide a more thorough clean than is possible at home, and may be able to help those with more serious problems such as hardened tartar, or periodontal (gum) disease.