On Air Archive

Research shows that up to half of us maybe adding to the current dental crisis through a poor basic oral health routine.

Studies by the British Dental Health Foundation show that 30 years a go one in three of the population over 16 had no teeth at all today those levels have been reduced by 50 percent, as the majority of us routinely brush our teeth with fluoride toothpaste to help guard against a whole range of problems from decay to gum disease, which has been linked to heart disease.

However it’s not just how often we clean our teeth or the toothpaste we use but the length of time we take to brush.

Given that it is increasingly difficult to find an NHS dentist, the last thing you need is to run up a bill with a private dentist, so a good routine oral health routine will help keep money in your pocket and not in that of a dentist.

We should be brushing our teeth twice a day and for a minimum of 2 minutes each time with a fluoride based toothpaste, in conjunction with flossing or using specialised brushes designed to get between out nashers to get rid of food deposits and clear plaque.

Statistics show using a mouthwash may also help, although concerns have been raised about using alcohol based preparations. 

It’s important to replace your toothbrush every three months and also to cut down on your intake of sugary drinks and foods.

We should get our teeth checked regularly as a a thorough dental examination can spot a renage of nasies including the likes of Mouth cancer.