Oral Health Adivce
Maintaining a healthy mouth and teeth is an essential part of life and will help to reduce the need for treatment either by your dentist or doctor or in our department.
Oral Health Advice covers the following areas of health:
Smoking Cessation
One of the main causes of poor oral health is smoking. Smoking causes and contributes to:
- Gum disease leading to loss of teeth
- Bad breath
- Oral cancer
- in addtion to effects on the chest like asthma, emphysema, bronchitis and lung cancer.
The smoke from cigarettes, rollups, pipes and cigars contains harmful ingredients which over a course of many years increases the chance of these conditions developing.
Many people who smoke realise the dangers and wish to quit. Scientific research has shown that you are more likely to quit if you want to, and if you get help.
Where can you get help to quit?
- Your GP can provide help and support, some quit smoking help such as nicotine patches, gum, and the new anti-smoking tablet Zyban are available on prescription. See your GP who will be happy to help.
- Somerset NHS website contains quit smoking information.
- National quit smoking website
- National Smoking Helpline tel. 0800 169-0-169
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Toothbrushing and Oral Hygiene
There are many things you can do in your own home to help keep your mouth healthy.
- The filmy white material that builds up on your teeth is bacteria and it produces acid which destroys the teeth. By regular brushing you get rid of these germs. A good quality toothbrush, changed regularly is essential..
- Brush twice a day with flouride toothpaste. Make sure you brush all your teeth, both inside and outside and right to the back of the mouth.
- Flossing between the teeth will help to remove bacteria from the hard to reach parts. (Ask your dentist for advice)
- If your wear false teeth (dentures) you must remove them and clean them twice a day, by brushing them with a toothbrush. You should not wear dentures at night.
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Diet
Your diet will make a big difference for tooth decay (cavities) and to some extent gum disease:
- Keep sugary food to a minimum. Sweets and processed sugar are
fairly obvious but other foods contain a lot of sugar. Baked bean
s contain almost as much as coca-cola. Read the labels.
- Do not eat sweet foods regularly i.e. all day long as this will cause the maximum damage. IF you have sweet food keep it to as few times a day as you can.
- Have sweeteners in your tea or coffee not sugar.
- Sugar free chewing gum used in moderation can help.
- Do not eat sugary food 1 hour before bedtime - it produces acid which attacks your teeth more at night as your mouth is drier and less well protected.
- Do not brush for 1 hour after eating or drinking. Your teeth are soft after food/drink and you may damage them.
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Visit your dentist regularly
Your dentist will do many things at your check-up it is essential that you see a dentist (either NHS or private) every 6-12 months. Your dentist will:
- Check for tooth decay
- Check for gum disease
- Check for signs of oral diseases including oral cancer
- Advice on brushing and oral health
- Provide treatment for a wide range of problems.
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