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Dental Hygiene and Its Effect on Overall Health (verywellhealth.com)

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Here's how you and your children can have healthy teeth and keep trips to the dentist to a minimum.

Brush your teeth twice a day

Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
Read more about how to keep your teeth clean

Floss between your teeth

Floss or use an interdental brush every day to remove food, debris and plaque lodged between your teeth.

Read more about why you should use dental floss.

Cut down on sugar, and other lifestyle tips

Have a healthy lifestyle, including eating well, not smoking and limiting your alcohol and sugar intake. It's good for your whole body, including your teeth, gums and mouth.

Brush baby teeth as soon as they come through

Start brushing a baby's teeth as soon as they come through.

Here are tips on looking after your baby's teeth, including the importance of avoiding sweetened foods and drinks.

Get children into a teeth-cleaning routine

Help your child have healthy teeth for life by having a good dental health routine.

Read more about how to look after your children's teeth.

Straighten crooked teeth with braces

More and more teenagers (and some adults) are having braces and orthodontics to straighten their teeth.

Find out more about braces and orthodontics.

Have regular dental check-ups

Have regular check-ups with your dentist. Do not put off going for a check-up. Detecting problems early can mean they're easier to treat.

If problems are not treated, they may lead to damage that's harder, or even impossible, to repair.

There are a wide range of dental treatments available. Some, such as fillings and root canal treatment, are readily available on the NHS.

Others, such as cosmetic dentistry, are only available on the NHS in certain circumstances.

Find out more about dental treatments and dental check-ups.

For information on who can get free dentistry and what to expect from your dentist, see how to find an NHS dentist.

Read the answers to the most common questions about NHS dentistry.

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Find out how to improve your and your family's dental health, including preventing problems and visiting the dentist for regular check-ups.

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https://youtu.be/2yxa67n5JR4?si=Ty3heAwLJ0P7cfHI

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Oral Hygiene Instruction Video: Brushing, Flossing, Braces Cleaning Tips

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Find out how to keep your teeth clean, including advice on toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss and mouthwash.

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Can your diet impact your oral health? | Blog | Dental Care Centre (dentalcarecentreuk.co.uk)

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We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here's our process.

Achieving healthy teeth takes a lifetime of care. Even if you've been told that you have nice teeth, it's crucial to take the right steps every day to take care of them and prevent problems. This involves getting the right oral care products, as well as being mindful of your daily habits.

It's no secret that the general recommendation is to brush at least twice a day. Still, many of us continue to neglect brushing our teeth at night. But brushing before bed gets rid of the germs and plaque that accumulate throughout the day.
Shop for toothbrushes online.
The way you brush is equally important - in fact, doing a poor job of brushing your teeth is almost as bad as not brushing at all. Take your time, moving the toothbrush in gentle, circular motions to remove plaque. Unremoved plaque can harden, leading to calculus buildup and gingivitis (early gum disease).

Plaque can also build up on your tongue. Not only can this lead to bad mouth odor, but it can lead to other oral health problems. Gently brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth.

When it comes to toothpaste, there are more important elements to look for than whitening power and flavors. No matter which version you choose, make sure it contains fluoride.

While fluoride has come under scrutiny by those worried about how it impacts other areas of health, this substance remains a mainstay in oral health. This is because fluoride is a leading defense against tooth decay. It works by fighting germs that can lead to decay, as well as providing a protective barrier for your teeth.
Purchase fluoride toothpaste here.
Many who brush regularly neglect to floss. Flossing is not just for getting little pieces of food or broccoli that may be getting stuck in between your teeth, as Jonathan Schwartz, DDS. points out. "It's really a way to stimulate the gums, reduce plaque, and help lower inflammation in the area."

Flossing once a day is usually enough to reap these benefits.
Here's a selection of dental floss to try.
Flossing can be difficult, especially for young children and older adults with arthritis. Rather than give up, look for tools that can help you floss your teeth. Ready-to-use dental flossers from the drugstore can make a difference.

Advertisements make mouthwash seem necessary for good oral health, but many people skip them because they don't know how they work. Schwartz says mouthwash helps in three ways: It reduces the amount of acid in the mouth, cleans hard-to-brush areas in and around the gums, and re-mineralizes the teeth. "Mouthwashes are useful as an adjunct tool to help bring things into balance," he explains. "I think in children and older people, where the ability to brush and floss may not be ideal, a mouthwash is particularly helpful."

Ask your dentist for specific mouthwash recommendations. Certain brands are best for children, and those with sensitive teeth. Prescription mouthwash is also available.
Purchase mouthwash online.
Water continues to be the best beverage for your overall health - including oral health. Also, as a rule of thumb, Schwartz recommends drinking water after every meal. This can help wash out some of the negative effects of sticky and acidic foods and beverages in between brushes.

Ready-to-eat foods are convenient, but perhaps not so much when it comes to your teeth. Eating fresh, crunchy produce not only contains more healthy fiber, but it's also the best choice for your teeth. "I tell parents to get their kids on harder-to-eat and chew foods at a younger age," says Schwartz. "So try to avoid the overly mushy processed stuff, stop cutting things into tiny pieces, and get those jaws working!"

Ultimately, sugar converts into acid in the mouth, which can then erode the enamel of your teeth. These acids are what lead to cavities. Acidic fruits, teas, and coffee can also wear down tooth enamel. While you don't necessarily have to avoid such foods altogether, it doesn't hurt to be mindful.

Your own everyday habits are crucial to your overall oral health. Still, even the most dutiful brushers and flossers need to see a dentist regularly. At minimum, you should see your dentist for cleanings and checkups twice a year. Not only can a dentist remove calculus and look for cavities, but they will also be able to spot potential issues and offer treatment solutions.

Some dental insurance companies even cover more frequent dental checkups. If this is the case for you, take advantage of it. Doing so is especially helpful if you have a history of dental issues, such as gingivitis or frequent cavities.

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We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here's our process. Achieving healthy teeth takes a lifetime of care.

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What are the risks of neglecting dental hygiene? (orchardcottagedental.co.uk)

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Oral hygiene - Wikipedia

The History of Dental Hygiene: Development through the Years - Today's RDH (todaysrdh.com)

The history of dental hygienists - Dentistry

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Setup Your Oral Hygiene Routine | Everything You NEED To Know About Caring For Your TEETH At Home