How to look after your mouth, teeth and gums

Tooth decay, gum disease and toothwear are the world’s most common (and entirely preventable) diseases. But with three out of four adults not realising they have gum disease1, it’s essential to stick to regular dentist appointments - even if you think there’s nothing wrong.

A powered toothbrush will undoubtedly remove more of that unwelcome plaque than a manual one.² But whichever you choose, keep the bristles looking healthy by changing the brush every three months and using fluoride toothpaste, brushing for two minutes, twice a day. Ideally wait an hour after eating or drinking, to avoid the time when your tooth enamel is softer.

Your toothbrush isn’t designed to reach the hidden gaps between your teeth. Daily flossing or using interdental brushes is the best way to deal with these tricky areas to stop plaque in its tracks. This helps prevent gum disease and more serious bone damage further down the line.

Choosing the right toothpaste (with around 1450ppm fluoride for adults) will help protect your teeth and avoid tooth decay. The concentrated toothpaste continues to work on your teeth when you’ve finished brushing, so spit, don’t rinse (not even with a fluoride mouthwash).

Your mouth is a war zone with sugar and acids attacking your teeth and creating cavities. Reducing the amount and frequency of sugary food and drink is critical in your battle against tooth decay and toothwear.⁵ Avoid sugary snacks and energy drinks in-between meals and at bedtime so your natural defences can resist the sugar onslaught, and follow the Eatwell Guide for the optimal healthy diet.⁶

Alcoholic drinks can be very acidic and high in sugar, creating multiple pitfalls: the acidity erodes your teeth enamel; sugar combines with plaque to cause tooth decay; and when there’s high alcohol content, your saliva flow - which neutralises harmful acids - is reduced. The greatest danger however lies in the estimate that heavy drinkers (who smoke) are 38 times more likely to develop mouth cancer than people who do neither.⁷

It’s our gift as to how mouth and teeth-aware our children become. Like those timeless lessons on how to cross the road, it’s up to us to sow the seeds that’ll last a lifetime. From tooth-brushing to sugar swaps and accepting trips to the dentist as part of everyday life. We need to make sure those tiny mouths have a fighting chance to be safe from risks and become healthier – and smilier - with every year that passes.

Eating a balanced diet, drinking water and generally sticking to best practice oral hygiene is a great preventative action that will deliver front-line care for your mouth. Limiting certain food and drinks like tea and coffee, red wine, cola and curry, or rinsing with water afterwards can reduce stains on your teeth. And stopping smoking is an essential first step in reversing the visual impact of nicotine.

It’s easy to fall into bad habits when it comes to your teeth, but there are some golden rules to help prevent many problems with your mouth, teeth and gums: only use your teeth for chewing food; don’t use them as tools to tear packing tape or open plastic packages and bottles; and don’t chew on pencils, fingernails or crunch on ice.