TV Doctor Offers Tips for a Better Smile
A well-known television doctor has accused Brits of being ‘too tolerant’ when it comes to unsightly smiles and offered a list of solutions to help people enjoy better oral health and a more attractive smile. Dr Chris van Tulleken feels that British people have accepted a reputation of having “lousy teeth” and should take more pride in the appearance of their smile.
In a simple set of steps, he urges the public to follow his advice in a bid to make dental disasters a thing of the past.
Dr van Tulleken’s top tips include brushing for two minutes twice a day using a systematic approach that covers all the teeth and provides a thorough clean. Use just a small amount of toothpaste and apply very gentle pressure, rather than brushing too hard. After brushing, avoid rinsing with water and leave the toothpaste on the surface of the teeth. This will enable the fluoride to take action and protect the enamel.
Dr van Tulleken advises brushing before eating or at least an hour after eating. Brushing directly after a meal increase the risk of enamel damage, as the enamel softens when you eat due to the release of acids. After eating, rinse with water or eat natural cleansers such as cucumber or celery, which have high water content.
One of the main contributors to decay is diet and more specifically acidic and sugary products, which attack and weaken the enamel. Your teeth can only fight a limited number of acid attacks per day, so avoid snacking and try to drink water between meals. Look out for added sugars when you do your weekly food shop and try to make healthy food choices. Swap sugary cereals such as sugar-coated flakes and chocolate flavoured cereals for wholegrain cereals and porridge, swap juice for milk and substitute fruit teas for peppermint or green tea. Many alcoholic drinks are highly acidic, so take this into account when you order at the bar. Lemon alcopops, for example, have the same acidity level as stomach acid.
If you suffer from dental anxiety, which many people do, try to take steps to overcome your fears, as avoiding the dentist for long periods of time can really put your oral health at risk. Studies also show that gum disease can increase the risk of general health issues including heart attacks, strokes, complications during pregnancy and diabetes. If you are nervous, let your dentist know. They will be able to help you and they can use techniques such as sedation, if necessary.
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