Tips to Take Care of Your Teeth in 2024

As your private dentist Wimbledon at Sw19 Confidental Dental Clinic, I want all my patients to have their best smile yet in 2024. Here are my top tips for optimal oral health this year:

Brush Properly

Brushing properly is vital for cleaning teeth of plaque and preventing decay and gum disease. Use a fluoride toothpaste and brush for two minutes, twice per day, paying extra attention to the gumline and hard-to-reach spots. Don’t forget to floss too!

Limit Sugar

Sugar feeds the bacteria that cause tooth decay and erosion. Limit sugary and acidic foods and drinks like soda, juice, sweets, and even fruits. After consuming these, rinse with water and chew sugar-free gum with xylitol to neutralize acids.

Get Dental Checkups

See your Wimbledon dentist every 6 months for an exam and professional cleaning to catch early signs of oral health issues before they become problematic and require extensive treatment. Custom treatment plans can be created for those more prone to dental disease.

Consider Sealants

Protect chewing surfaces of back teeth through sealants. This thin plastic coating shields against decay and can last for several years with proper monitoring. Great for newly erupted molars in kids.

Use Antibacterial Rinses

Brush, floss, then rinse daily with an antibacterial mouthwash without alcohol to reduce bacteria accumulation and prevent issues between dental visits. Pick rinses with fluoride for extra protection against tooth decay.

Examine Oral Tissue

Check tissues in your mouth monthly for abnormal patches, color changes, sores, swelling or lumps which may indicate early signs of oral cancer or other diseases. Report any abnormalities to your Sw19 Confidental dentist for advice and next steps.

Avoid Bedtime Snacks

Saliva flow decreases at night, allowing sugars and acids from snacks to sit on teeth for hours, feeding decay-causing bacteria. Avoid snacks before bed when possible. If you must snack, choose something low in sugar and acids.

Monitor Health Supplements

Some supplements have high acid content that can erode tooth enamel over time. Check labels and talk to your Wimbledon dentist about any supplement concerns. We may recommend changing brands, adjusting dose/frequency or additional preventive measures.

Use Night Guards If Grinding

Clenching or grinding, especially at night, can fracture teeth and wear down enamel. See your Wimbledon dentist for night guard options to protect your teeth from damage during sleep. Stress and airway issues can contribute to grinding as well.

Quit Smoking

Smoking stains teeth, causes gum disease, oral cancer and tooth loss. Talk to your dentist about quitting options. Additional cleanings and antimicrobial rinses may help manage oral effects while quitting. Healthy gums can reattach after quitting smoking too!

Pick Tooth-Healthy Drinks

Skip the sodas and sugary juices which bathe teeth in acid and sugar. Enjoy water, milk, or unsweetened tea which have less impact on oral health. Adding lemon can help stimulate saliva to neutralize acids as well. Stay hydrated for optimum oral health.

Use Soft-Bristled Toothbrushes

Go for soft-bristled toothbrushes over firm options to prevent gum damage and recession over time. Electric options with timers and pressure sensors provide real-time feedback to optimize technique. Change your toothbrush every 3 months or sooner if bristles look frayed.

Don’t Skimp on Floss

Floss gets to plaque hiding between teeth that your toothbrush simply can’t reach, helping prevent decay and gum disease. Slide it gently between teeth daily, curving it around the tooth’s base. Break off a new section as it gets dirty. Go slow until you get the hang of proper flossing technique.

Rinse After Acidic Foods

After consuming acidic foods or drinks, swish water around or chew sugarless gum to help neutralize lingering acid which softens protective enamel. Xylitol gum boosts saliva to aid this acid neutralization process. Keep gum handy when eating on the go.

Monitor Medications

Certain medications reduce saliva flow, raising decay risk. Your Wimbledon dentist may recommend additional fluoride treatments, more frequent dental visits, alcohol-free antimicrobial rinses or saliva substitutes to help combat the oral effects of medications long-term.

Check Gap Insurance Coverage

Get wise about your dental insurance coverage, especially for more complex procedures like implants, crowns and veneers. Many basic NHS and insurance plans don’t fully cover major restorations. Check if gap insurance is recommended to manage out of pocket costs with your dental care.
Your smile deserves personalized care and that is what you’ll find at Sw19 Confidental Dental Clinic, your best private Dentist Wimbledon and the surrounding area. We know each smile is unique which is why we offer customized treatment plans informed by our advanced technology like digital x-rays, HD imaging, and intraoral scanners for a seamlessly modern experience. Our award-winning specialists provide the full range of general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry along with expertise in veneers, implants and Invisalign. At Sw19 Confidental Dental Clinic, your oral health is our passion. Schedule your smile check-up or high-tech dental consultation with Wimbledon’s best private Dentist today!