Q. How often should I really brush my teeth?
A. The earlier you begin getting into the habit of maintaining the welfare of your teeth, the more beneficial it will be for you in the long-term. Most of us want to look good when we smile, and it’s important that all aspects of our oral hygiene are of a high standard. According to a study conducted last year, 40per cent of the population didn’t brush their teeth even once a day.
To put that into context, that’s approximately 24 million members of the public. The worst offenders among the results of that survey were those aged from 26 to 34, with only half of them brushing their teeth once a day.
As many as 40 precents admitted that they felt too embarrassed to show their teeth in a photograph, and nearly a quarter of them admitted that they were ashamed of their teeth. It doesn’t matter how old you are, your teeth are an important part of your facial make-up and especially today, with the number of photos people are uploading onto social media, looking after your teeth couldn’t be more important.
The advice I give to all of my patients is to brush their teeth at least twice a day, as well as aiming to brush their teeth after each meal to stop any damage to your tooth enamel. If you want to take that a step further, then I recommend flossing and it’s important to use a toothpaste with the right concentration of fluoride so that you can keep your teeth and gums in the best possible state.
Q. Which alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are best to stay cool during summer?
A. Who loves nothing more than a cold cocktail or two on a hot summer day? Your body loses essential fluids and your blood sugar starts to drop, so it can be easy to get carried away and buy the wrong drinks to quench your thirst and damage your teeth. Whether you’re enjoying a day out at the park, or an afternoon with friends in a beer garden, there are plenty of ways you can reduce the number of sugars you consume, or cut them out altogether.
According to studies, some of the more popular alcoholic drinks that people like are cocktails of spirits like gin, vodka and rum, which have no sugar in them, mixed with sugar-heavy juices or soft drinks such as cranberry juice, lemonade or Coke – each glass can contain up to 60per cent of your daily intake.
Instead, opting for a beer, a glass of red wine or prosecco could be a better option for you, as they all contain less than three per cent of your daily sugar intake. If you don’t drink alcohol, the usual option for people is an energy drink or a glass of Coke or lemonade – but there’s also high levels of sugar in these, too. Better alternatives are either sparkling or still water, with fresh wedges of lemon or lime or a few mint leaves.
If you’re just out and about, try to avoid isotonic sports drinks and opt instead for either bottled mineral water or coconut water – which are packed full of electrolytes and minerals and are sugar-free.
For more information about dental issues, contact Synergy Dental Clinics Preston, preston@synergydental.org.uk or go to https://synergydental.org.uk/synergy-dental/dentist-in-preston/