Asking someone to stick to a set of rules is often not enough to get them to obey those rules. Invariably, the reasons for the rules need to be explained so that there is an understanding of what happens if you don’t adhere to them. Education is vital to us in every walk of life for us to grow and develop. At Benhill Dental Practice, we believe that preventive dentistry starts with oral hygiene Sutton. The results of poor oral hygiene can be catastrophic; not only can you lose your teeth, but your relationships can be severely damaged. Poor oral hygiene can allow bacteria and plaque to thrive between and around your teeth, causing tooth decay, bad breath and gum disease, all of which are absolutely unnecessary if you are willing to adhere to a few basic rules.

Relationships develop understanding and reduce stress!

We are very committed to our patients and consider you to be more than a patient. We want to get to know you and understand your dental expectations so that we can develop a dental treatment program designed specifically to fulfil your personal needs. Oral hygiene Sutton is always high on our list, and because we develop relationships with our patients, we can be candid with you about the state of your oral hygiene. Our relationships create a feeling of trust that means we can tell you if you are suffering from bad breath and how to eliminate it through proper oral hygiene Sutton.

A precious asset

It is necessary to realise just how precious your adult teeth are because you only get one set in your life, and once you have lost them, they are gone! We take our cars for regular maintenance and are careful with our financial investments, and our teeth should be as high up on the priority list of asset protection. We seem to forget that our mouths are the portals through which we feed ourselves, so surely we should ensure that our mouths are healthy.

Follow a simple formula

We will advise you on the right toothbrush for your teeth and gums. We are all different, and the type of bristles and toothpaste you use needs to suit you as an individual. When it comes to teeth and gums, there is no such thing as one-size-fits-all. Regularity is vital to maintaining good oral hygiene; brush and floss at least twice a day, preferably after meals, and make regular six monthly dental visits for checkups and hygienist treatment. The procedure for maintaining your teeth and gums is simple and does not require any major expense or effort.

All the dental treatments you need

We are here to provide all the dental care you need to retain your teeth and maintain proper oral hygiene for the duration of your life. Our preventive dentistry treatments will provide everything you and your family need, including hygiene, fresh breath and cancer screening. General dentistry will ensure that extractions, fillings and root canal therapy are carried out. Putting a smile back on your face will come with cosmetic dentistry treatments, and we offer a full range from simple tooth whitening to teeth straightening and replacement.

The process at home

From a young age the majority of people are taught and instructed on ways to clean their teeth at home. Unfortunately, the detail to this teaching is often lacking and therefore a quick brush when we wake up and before we go to bed can become the normal routine. Whilst this brushing is of course important, on its own and without a high level of efficiency the overall effectiveness of the clean can be somewhat muted and lead to problems such as bad breath and bleeding of the gums.

So how can you improve your overall cleaning process?

The first important thing to do when looking after your oral hygiene Sutton is to attend regular dental appointments with us at Benhill Dental Practice and in some cases our hygienist as well. These appointments not only discover any potential problems early on, but can also provide you with tips and tweaks to make to your daily cleaning process. This is of extreme importance, as it puts in place preventive measures reducing the probability of more serious dental treatments and procedures further down the line.

During your appointments, whilst a dental education may not seem interesting, your dental team will be able to discover any flaws within your cleaning process and help educate you on how to improve it. This can range from encouraging flossing or using an electric toothbrush to employing a combination of a variety of dental equipment. Whilst this education is of great importance, the responsibility then lies with you to ensure you follow the advice given and work on improving your oral hygiene Sutton.

Bleeding and swollen gums

When we cut ourselves and bleed we often deal with the problem there and then, learning our lesson and yet many people with gums that bleed choose to ignore the bleeding. As with most injuries this bleeding is a warning sign and one that should not be ignored. Gingivitis which can develop into periodontal disease is quite common among patients and is often the result of plaque build-up around the teeth. Whilst a little bleeding may seem insignificant, over time this can result in further dentals problems such as tooth loss. It is therefore essential to work with your dental team and hygienist to ensure that your overall oral hygiene Sutton is at the top of its game.

Creating positive experiences from a young age

Whilst it may seem a little far fetched taking a baby to the dentist when they first get a tooth, putting the visitation process in motion is of great importance. Not only are you setting the overall dental hygiene regime up for success, but you are also establishing a firm dental routine for them which hopefully will continue throughout the rest of their lives. Studies have shown that patients who visit the dentist regularly from a young age are less likely to suffer from fears and anxieties towards their dental visits later in life. Putting in the groundwork at a young age therefore encourages positive experiences from the start, whilst also ensuring a high level of oral hygiene Sutton.

Are you a good dental patient? Do you come in every 6 months for a check-up and a session with the hygienist, and, as you leave, book yourself in for more of the same in another 6 months’ time? Or are you a bit more slapdash? Do you put off making appointments, forget to turn up, cancel a few days before, and somehow not come to see us twice a year, but more like once a year, or maybe even every 2 years?

There’s a reason why dentists want their patients to come in every 6 months for check-ups. This is how long the early stages of decay and gum disease take to develop, and we can still spot them and deal with them before they become more serious.

If you are good about check-ups and cleanings, you will know how much we, at Benhill Dental Practice in Sutton, go on about dental hygiene. Dental hygiene is the foundation of all good dental care.

You only get one set of adult teeth, and if you’d like to live until you are 80, these teeth are going to have to last you more than 70 years. That’s a very long time.

Natural teeth are very good at chewing things into a paste that can be well digested. Some of the replacement teeth on offer are not so good. So, as your dentist, we would far rather you practised good dental hygiene and hung onto your natural teeth than go down the route of replacement teeth.

How to practise good dental hygiene

It’s pretty simple. You need to brush your teeth for 2 minutes twice a day using a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste. One way to make sure you do the full 2 minutes is to use an electric toothbrush with a timer on it. It vibrates at 4 30-second intervals, so you can work round your mouth very thoroughly.

Don’t forget to back up your tooth brushing with a daily flossing session to remove plaque from between your teeth and under the edges of the gums. If you are older, you may also need interdental brushes to remove trapped food from between your teeth, especially at the back.

The thing with teeth is that we evolved to have one set that would last us for a lifetime. That was back when our diets had way less sugar in them. These days it’s hard to get away from sugar, and without a good oral hygiene routine, we are in as much danger as ever from tooth decay, especially as children.

Sugary drinks, sugary snacks, even snacks such as raisins, all feed the bacteria in our mouths that give off acids that destroy tooth enamel. That’s why decay in children is on the up. According to government statistics 25% of five-year-olds suffer from tooth decay, with three or four of their teeth in trouble. And in 2012-2013, tooth decay was the most common reason for 5–9-year-olds going into hospital. In 2014-15, over 63,000 children aged up to 19 went into hospital to have teeth removed. 63,000! That’s so many. And that’s why we are very hot on teaching our young patients how to develop a really good oral hygiene routine.

Meet Debbie

Here at Benhill Dental Practice in Sutton, our hygienist is Debbie. She knows that getting a good brushing technique takes time and that kids often have far better things to do than brush their teeth. Debbie was nominated for Hygienist of the Year in 2008 after starting Toothy Pegs Club in 2007. Debbie ran the club in schools as well as bringing it into Benhill Dental Practice.

Teeth with character

Debbie has got kids to love their teeth by giving each kind of tooth a character of their own. From ladylike Nibbles the Incisor, who loves minty toothpaste, to Grinder the Molar, who loves to use disclosing tablets before he brushes his teeth, the characters teach children how to brush their teeth and helps anxious kids get over any fears of the dentist. It’s free to all children; you don’t have to be a member of the practice. The club even does puppet shows, which go down a storm with children.

Toothy Pegs Club is a fun way to give your kids a good grounding in oral hygiene. Come along and join the fun!

How does your oral hygiene scrub up? Good dental hygiene is vital to maintaining your oral health. Many common dental problems, including gum disease and tooth decay, can be prevented with good oral hygiene.

At Benhill Dental Practice we are passionate about preventative dentistry, which is why we are always keen to stress the importance of a strong oral hygiene routine. Good dental health involves team work, combining regular visits to your dentist and hygienist with stringent home practices.

We recommend that most patients visit the dentist for a check-up and they hygienist for a scale and polish every six months. In some cases – for example if you have gum disease and your treatment needs monitoring – we will want to see you more frequently, and you should always follow your dentist’s recommendations.

Our hygienist, Debbie, will professionally clean your teeth with a scale and polish. This involves using special equipment and pastes to remove all traces of plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth. Plaque and tartar build-up can lead to the development of gum disease, which if left untreated can ultimately lead to your teeth falling out.

Debbie will also provide bespoke advice on how best to look after your teeth at home. This will include tips on brushing techniques, flossing and using interdental brushes to clean in between your teeth effectively. This advice will be presented in an individualised, age-appropriate manner – Debbie runs a special Toothy Pegs Club for children to help them learn the importance of good dental hygiene in a fun way.

She will also advise on how dietary and lifestyle factors, such as drinking too much fruit juice or smoking, can affect your dental health, and offer advice on how to develop more tooth-friendly habits.