Gum Disease & Tooth Decay Glasgow

 

Caring for your teeth and gums

Cashel Daisley provides personal dental care for health and confidence.

Tooth decay and gum disease are preventable.

For healthy teeth and gums Visit your dentist regularly Avoid sugary snacks and drinks between meals Brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day, and use a fluoride toothpaste

It is necessary to visit your dentist at least every six months. Extra protection may be necessary for your teeth like fluoride treatment and fissure sealants. Fissure sealants are plastic coatings placed on the biting surfaces of the teeth to prevent tooth decay.

Diet

Most people know that sugar causes tooth decay. But few people are aware that each time a sugary item is consumed the teeth are attacked for about two hours, so the frequency of consumption is more important than the quantity. A bar of chocolate eaten immediately after a meal as part of a balanced diet will cause no decay. The same bar of chocolate eaten bit-by-bit throughout the day will cause tooth decay.

The key to healthy teeth is to:

• Cut down how often you have sugary food or drink

• Cut down your sugar intake between meals. Keep sugar-containing foods and drinks to mealtimes, or for an agreed time once a week.
• Watch out for hidden sugars.

• Always ask for sugar-free medicines

Between meals you may occasionally have:

• • Fruits such as apples, oranges, pears, bananas, melons, and grapes.
  • Vegetables such as carrots, cucumber and celery.
  • Bread
  • Unsweetened yoghurt
  • Cheese

Between meals try:

• • Tap water and bottled plain water

• • Milk
  • Sugar free, diet and low-calorie drinks occasionally

A lot of foods contain hidden sugars. Check labels for the following sugars that can all be harmful to your teeth.

Glucose, glucose syrup, fructose, concentrated fruit juice, sucrose, dextrose, honey, inverted sugar, maltose, hydrolysed starch

The acid in some drinks such as fruit juices, fruit squash and fizzy drinks, even diet ones, may attack the enamel on teeth if they are drunk frequently. New ‘tooth friendly’ drinks have been shown to be ‘tooth unfriendly’ – they cause tooth decay.

Milk and water are safe for teeth

How to clean

Brush your teeth twice daily to strengthen teeth against decay and gum disease. Make sure to clean the area where the tooth meets the gum. Brush for at least two minutes using fluoride toothpaste. Spit out after tooth brushing, but don’t rinse to get the most benefit from the toothpaste.

Your toothbrush should have a small head (size 3.5) and be medium to soft textured. Toothbrushes should be replaced regularly, about every three months for efficient cleaning.

Floss once a day, taking the floss gently below the gum to remove plaque deposits. Clean your tongue at least once a day with a tongue cleaner to promote fresh breath.

If you use a mouthwash, avoid using it close to tooth brushing time to get the most benefit from each product. Please get guidance from us if you would benefit from a mouthwash.