New year resolutions, vision boards and 2025 wish lists have been made by many, with better self-care being included on most.
Hopefully, fingers crossed, by the end of this article ‘ A Healthy Smile ' will be added as either a post-it note on your vision board, a new line in your note’s app under the heading ‘2025 goals’ or kept in your head as a mental reminder.
When working towards a new goal it is important there is a plan in place to achieve it. Below we will cover what a healthy smile is and how we get there.
What does a Healthy Smile entail and how do I get one?
A white smile is a healthy smile, no pain is equal to no problems and bleeding gums are normal... a few common dental myths out of the way.
To have a healthy smile your hard and soft tissues need to be healthy – this includes your teeth, gums, lips, jaw bones and tongue. How do you know if these are healthy? You don’t. This leads us to Step One.
Step One – Book in your dental check-up
A large percentage of dental problems are silent and by the time they begin to cause you trouble it has likely manifested into a problem that needs extensive treatment. Regular check-ups help to prevent this from happening by catching decay and other tooth related problems in their earlier stages.
Your Dentist has the expertise and facilities specifically for keeping your mouth healthy. They are able to take x-rays to detect early decay in areas the human eye cannot see, recognise abnormalities of hard and soft tissues, measure the health of your gums, and put together a treatment plan to help resolve any problems encountered.
It is recommended that you have a dental check-up every 6 months for the dentist to keep a lookout for any changes and to prevent the need for extensive treatment.
If you have had a check-up within the last 6 months or have one booked in, well done, you are one step ahead.
Step 2 – Complete outstanding treatment
As mentioned in step one, ensuring you complete outstanding treatment as soon as possible means the problem is stopped from festering and becoming worse. Teeth left untreated have the possibility to become infected, cause pain and in the worst case scenarios to be extracted (Not very self-care on the vision board of you).
Being advised you need dental treatment can be overwhelming, however it is common that dental treatment is needed. The Adult Oral Health Survey in 2021 reported 80% of adults had at least one filling with an average of 4.3 filled teeth.
If you are anxious about dental treatment do not be afraid to make your dental care professionals aware. Our team of dentists, hygienists and dental nurses are here to help ease you through appointments and work with you in settling any anxieties you may have.
Step 3 – Invest in routine Hygiene appointments
Routine hygiene appointments are checkpoints where good oral hygiene can be reinforced to keep you and your healthy smile on track - helping you steer clear of gum disease.
Gum disease occurs when bacteria is left around the teeth and gums due to improper cleaning. When plaque is not removed by brushing it develops into hard calculus. A study by the University of College London Hospitals estimates that 50–70% of the British population has gum disease. The Hygienist will be able to provide a professional clean, removing hard calculus you are unable to remove yourself at home. In these appointments surface stains can also be removed.
At Brixworth Dental our hygienists take the time to show you how to use your electric toothbrush effectively, advise on what interdentals to use and where to use them, point out problem areas to focus on and take records to compare to future appointments.
Step 4 – Stay on Track
Apply the advice you have received from your dental care professionals to your self-care routine. Brush twice a day, use your interdentals and book in your routine appointments. Booking your dental appointments in advance minimises the risk of you falling out of routine.
The health of your mouth is closely linked to the health of the rest of your body, including your heart. Poor oral hygiene can increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancers. Keeping on track with your oral care routine helps maintain the appearance and reduces further health risks.
How Can Brixworth Dental Help?
Whether you are a current patient, looking to switch dental practices or have not visited the dentist in a long time Brixworth Dental are here to help. Our team of dentists are experienced in a range of different treatments and will be able to cater to your needs.
Click Here to contact us to arrange your appointment where our experienced reception team will support you.
Happy New Year
The Brixworth Dental Team
