Prevention
Prevention is better than cure...
An often used phrase, but nowhere is it truer than in dentistry. At Molloy Dental Practice, preventative dentistry is at the heart of everything that we do. More time spent on hygiene visits and education will mean less time having teeth filled or removed and less cost to you, the patient. Something we're sure that you will welcome!
Better oral health is increasingly recognised as important to the body as a whole and not just the mouth. So, what are our 8 top tips to help you enjoy better oral health?
- Stop smoking. As well as the well known problems in relation to lung cancer and heart disease, smoking is a major contributory factor in oral cancer and Gum disease. It can also cause gum inflammation and leads to gum recession which increases plaque build up
- Enjoy alcohol in moderation. Alcohol is another contributory factor to oral cancer especially in combination with smoking. More than 34,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year. It will cause over 8,000 deaths, killing roughly 1 person per hour, 24 hours per day. It is widely accepted that eliminating the use of oral tobacco, and reducing or eliminating your intake of alcohol, will immediately reduce your risk of developing oral cancer. In fact, within 10 years your risk for oral cancer should be as low as any other non-drinker/non-smoker.
- Avoid fizzy drinks and sugary snacks. These lead to a massive increase in plaque which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease this is due to the fact that they increase the amount of acid in your mouth which leads to both the break down of tooth and gum tissue.
- Try and restrict food intake to mealtimes. Oral bacteria benefit from the constant nourishment that snacking can provide. If you must snack, then try and choose foods like fresh fruit or cheese which are better for your teeth, this is because they are lower in refined carbohydrate which is easier for bacteria to process to acid.
- Eat a well balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals. This will lead to healthier gums and therefore healthier teeth.
- Brush your teeth carefully twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. (Children under 7 should only use a pea sized amount of a low fluoride toothpaste).
- Floss everyday. The main reason for flossing is that the brush can only ever reach three surfaces of your teeth, it can never get in between them, so the floss is just to access those hard to reach areas. Ask us how to if you are not sure - don't worry - a lot of people don't know how to do it properly until they are shown!
- Visit Molloy Dental Practice regularly for hygiene appointments. Prevention is key.
