Achieving your dream smile begins with a consistent oral hygiene routine. Brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing at least once a day (at night, before you brush) and visiting the dentist regularly will keep most dental problems at bay.

Clients who come to us seeking a smile makeover in Essex often assume that teeth whitening and straightening treatments like Invisalign will solve all their dental problems but even once you’ve had these treatments, a thorough oral hygiene routine is still very important.  

The importance of regular brushing

Regular brushing should be an integral part of your daily dental routine. It helps keep your teeth white and free from plaque, your breath fresh and your gums clean, healthy and free from disease.

We recommend a thorough cleaning regime first thing in the morning and last thing before bed and there’s a reason for this. There are in fact occasions when it’s best not to brush your teeth so going with first thing in the morning and last thing at night avoids mistakenly brushing during times that could do more harm than good. Try to avoid brushing your teeth in these instances…

Instances when brushing does more harm than good

It’s best not to brush your teeth straight after acidic/sugary meals. The reason for this is that when you eat these types of foods, your mouth becomes more acidic. If this occurs on a regular basis, the acid can continue to soften and wear down your enamel, leading to damage. Brushing after the enamel has softened will wear it down at a much faster rate.

If you must brush your teeth after you eat, consider leaving a gap to allow the acid levels in your mouth to return to normal or rinse your mouth out with water first to wash the acid away. Alternatively, chewing gum for 20 minutes will help.

Another instance is after you’ve had drinks that are high in acid or sugar. Like in the previous example, this can wear away the enamel and leave your teeth more vulnerable to damage.

It’s easy to assume that the best way of protecting your teeth is to brush straight after you’ve eaten, to clear away any remaining food, but it can actually encourage more wear to the enamel layer.

Striking the right brushing balance for a healthy smile

So, there are instances when it’s best to leave the toothbrush alone, which is why we recommend cleaning your teeth first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Not only will you have a fresh and clean mouth to start and end the day but it will also help you get the most out of your cleaning regime.

For an even healthier smile, visit your hygienist

As much as brushing twice a day and flossing before bed will keep your teeth clean, there will always be areas that get forgotten. To prevent problems from occurring without you knowing, we recommend you see a dental hygienist twice a year. They will:

• Descale your teeth and tartar build up
• Remove plaque deposits
• Provide oral hygiene instruction
• Polish stains from your teeth
• Show you areas that are being missed
• Demonstrate correct electric toothbrush, Tepe and dental floss use
• Assess your gum health
• Check for signs of oral cancer

 

The first step to achieving the smile you’ve always wanted is to follow a smart and consistent brushing routine but if you’d like more information about our teeth whitening and Invisalign treatments, speak to The Essex Smile Centre team.