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Common oral diseases like tooth decay and gum disease are preventable with proper dental care. Follow these easy tips to help keep your teeth and gums healthy.

1. Brush regularly but gently, using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brushing too vigorously can damage your teeth and gums.
2. Use fluoride toothpaste to help protect your teeth against tooth decay. After brushing, don’t rinse as this will leave a thin layer of protective fluoride coating your teeth for longer.
3. Floss daily as your toothbrush cannot clean the contact areas between your teeth. Leaving these areas uncleaned means leaving approximately one-third of your tooth surfaces dirty.
4. Book regular dental exams. Most people need to see us every six months for regular checkups.
5. Don’t smoke or try to quit. Smoking makes it harder for your oral tissues to fight disease, increasing the risk of gum disease. It also gives you bad breath.
6. Use an antibacterial mouthwash if you like to use a mouth rinse, as this will help control dental plaque.
7. Don’t consume too many sugary and starchy foods, especially between meals, as these increase the risk of tooth decay.
8. Drink water instead of fizzy drinks or sweetened fruit juice. Water is also the best way to quench your thirst.

A recent study has found that too little vitamin C could contribute towards bleeding gums and that merely increasing your brushing and flossing routine may not be enough to reverse this problem. Frequently, bleeding gums are a sign of periodontal disease, a bacterial infection that causes inflammation, destroying the gums and bone around teeth, eventually causing tooth loss. Traditionally it is treated by cleaning teeth professionally, combined with an increased oral care routine at home to help get rid of the bacteria so gums can fight the disease.

During the study, people with low levels of vitamin C were more likely to have problems where their eyes bleed, an issue known as retinal haemorrhaging, and gums that bled when gently probed. When vitamin C intake was increased, it helped reverse the eye problems and stopped gums from bleeding.

While vitamin C deficiency may be one reason for bleeding gums, please seek professional dental care if you have noticed your gums bleed when you brush and floss. We can assess your gum health and determine if you have gum disease, and discuss the possibility of a vitamin C deficiency. Most people who have a healthy diet will receive plenty of vitamin C, but those following a low carbohydrate or paleo diet may not get enough of this essential vitamin.

It will soon be Dental Health Week here in Australia as this event runs from the 2^nd to the 8^th of August. It is the Australian Dental Association’s major promotional campaign where dentists everywhere aim to educate patients about the importance of looking after their oral health. The theme for 2021 is keeping your smile for life. Our practice promotes good oral health year-round, but Dental Health Week is an ideal opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of taking care of your teeth and gums.

The campaign’s key messages are very straightforward but can make a real difference to your dental health. They include brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between your teeth with dental floss or interdental brushes. Regular dental checkups are vital for preventive care, as often we can detect any small changes to your dental health before you notice anything is wrong. Eating healthily and avoiding too much sugar will help you maintain strong and healthy cavity-free teeth. Your teeth are meant to last for life and can certainly do this with proper dental care.

Losing teeth shouldn’t be considered a normal part of getting older, and when you visit our practice regularly, we can work with you to help you enjoy a healthy smile for life.