Dental decay, or as it’s more commonly known as, tooth decay, occurs when the bacterium that is already present in your mouth mixes with food particles and saliva to create plaque. This plaque then collects on your teeth and over time this can severely damage the surface of your tooth. If this is left untreated it can then lead to dental decay, which can leave you in a lot of pain and ultimately destroys the tooth. It may also leave you in need of dental surgery.
However, dental decay can be avoided by following a few simple steps each day when partaking in your oral hygiene routine. It has been estimated that under half of adults follow a good daily hygiene routine.
Brushing your teeth
Firstly when it come to brushing your teeth makes sure you spend at least two minutes doing this at least twice a day, and use a toothpaste with a recommended amount of fluoride in it, as this helps protect and strengthen enamel and can help prevent tooth decay. An electric toothbrush may be more helpful than a traditional manual one, as they can be up to twice as effective.
Flossing and mouthwash
Brushing alone won’t help protect your teeth. Ensure that you introduce both mouthwash and dental floss into your daily dental hygiene routine. You should do this as brushing only cleans around 60 per cent of the surface. Dental floss can help reach in between teeth and mouthwash helps to kill the bacteria located between the teeth, along with helping to reduce plaque and fight gum disease.
Finally, to ensure a good oral hygiene routine, ensure that you visit your dentist or hygienist on a regular basis to make sure something isn’t happening that you can’t see or feel, before it’s too late.
If you are looking for a dentist or dental hygienist near to Dukinfield please give the practice a call, we would be very happy to help.
