How to Look After Your Teeth

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If you're the kind of person who makes do with a quick 30-second brush with a 3-year-old toothbrush once a day, then you're storing up some serious dental issues for later life. This is Dr James' step-by-step guide to how to look after your teeth and the warning signs you should be looking for in your mouth.

Brushing sounds easy, but too many of us do it wrong. Teeth should be brushed with a small, circular action. Try and brush in an ordered sequence and it

Tooth decay is caused when a sticky substance called plaque collects in crevices and gaps in the teeth - most commonly around the gums and any grooves or holes in the teeth. Plaque is made up of decaying food, saliva and bacteria.

Left untreated, the plaque forms into tartar, which can

Electric toothbrushes are a great way of making your job easier, as they do the circular action for you, meaning that you can concentrate on covering each and every tooth. Make sure you brush for 2 minutes. Divide your mouth into quarters and spend 30 seconds in each quarter.

Gingivitis is caused when the gums are inflamed, resulting in them becoming red and swollen, especially where the teeth meet the gum. In addition to being sore, they often bleed during brushing and flossing. Gingivitis is normally caused by a build up of plaque and early treatment by your dentist or hygienist can completely solve this problem.

Flossing can help to prevent the beginnings of gingivitis by removing debris from the mouth. You need to use about 30cm of floss, winding the excess around your middle fingers to ensure it stays taut. You can place it over your first fingers when reaching your back teeth, and your first finger and thumb when doing the front.

Ease the floss between your teeth and gently saw from side to side whilst dragging the floss up and down between your teeth. Make sure that you also curve the floss around each tooth and below the gum line to reach all trapped debris.

Often neglected, the tongue is really important as it traps bacteria that can cause gum disease, tooth decay and bad breath. Cleaning your tongue with a scraper or a brush should reduce the bacteria in your mouth and help keep you breath fresh.

Regular brushing and flossing can prevent most decay, but if it is advanced then a filling may have to be used - but if it is too advanced then a crown might have to be fitted. If the decay is very deep it may damage the nerve of tooth, then a root canal treatment will be needed.

Teeth are naturally an off-white colour, but many people find that their teeth yellow with age, or get stained by drinking coffee or red wine. Smoking can also stain the teeth, so regular brushing and professional cleaning at a dental hygienist are important in keeping your teeth from yellowing extensively. It is possible to have teeth whitened using a professional bleaching technique. This can be done at home using custom made guards or in-surgery, known as

Images supplied courtesy of The London Smile Clinic

To find an NHS Dentist in your area use the NHS Service Finder

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hi, I'm 34 years old and have been a regular at my dentist since i was a year old. I had an accident as a baby and my two front teeth were pushed back into the gum. whenv they came back through, they were black and chipped. When i finally got my adult teeth, they also were chipped and discoloured, so i ended up having them capped. My teeth have always been very weak and proned to decay, so over the years i have had some extractions. On the top right, i have no molars due to infection and absces over the years. This has resulted in my teeth shifting to the right. my front teeth are no longer central. Im extremely self concious of this and most people now call me "smiler". I also have receeding gums, which has unfortunately resulted in my natural tooth showing above my caps, which i hate. I would love to have this corrected and my caps replaced but I just cant afford it and my dentist told me it would make my front teeth look too long! If anyone has any suggestions, i would be so greatful.

Posted on 19 Mar 2010 23:15 by sarah
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My friend has got rotten teeth, she says she would do something about it if she had the money as i know it makes her very self conscious. She is not registered with a dentist(NHS) shortage in our area. The pain and discomfort she gets is apparent even though she puts a brave face on it. These problems started as a result of personal neglect as she suffered from depression and she cannot see a way forward. Any advice?

Posted on 7 Mar 2010 03:14 by Sam
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I'm a 43yrs old and i know my teeth are rotten but every time i try and go to see a dentist i get to the door but i just cant go in.... Ever since i was at school and was given gas by the dentist and came out of it half way through an extraction i have a BIG fear of going I would love a full set of teeth but alas my fear of dentists is stopping me... Any ideas of over comming my fear????

Posted on 6 Mar 2010 15:37 by john
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just take it step by step i used 2 be afraid ov the dent ist but now im fine dontworry about it if yo cant go that day try the day after my secret use baking powder :)

Posted on 9 Mar 2010 20:52 by bethany
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i have yellow teeth and brush 4 times a day why are they til yellow?

Posted on 26 Feb 2010 22:03 by charlie
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Hello to the university student with bleeding gums.I am a dental nurse.. The reason your gums are bleeding is because your teeth arent getting brushed as reqular as twice a day, therefore the plaque is irritating the gum and is bleeding when pressure is applied, it is a vicious circle as you may not want to brush your teeth as your gums are bleeding however they will bleed more if ignored, try and brush your teeth twice a day your gums will still bleed to begin with however. Also try and use a antibacterial m/wash at least once a day.

Posted on 21 Feb 2010 20:32 by Amy
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im 19, i'm at university at the moment i always brush my teeth a minimum of once a day as i can be in too much of a rush to do them in the morning, my gums always bleed, also if i am eating something like a lolly and make pressure within my mouth my gums by my canines can bleed, is there anything i can do to stop this without going to my dentist as they always seem to have this attitude that teens dont brush properly and i dont feel comfortable discussing this with him.

Posted on 19 Feb 2010 23:05 by heather
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hi i'm 31 and my dentist says i grind my teeth what can i do about it.

Posted on 18 Feb 2010 19:45 by Harri
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Hi I've done this for years now and need to wear a gum shield to bed every night to stop my teeth from being warn down. These can be obtained from your dentist as an impression of your teeth needs to be taken first. It isn't uncomfortable to wear and after a while you forget you're wearing it.

Posted on 3 Mar 2010 19:32 by Ann
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hi im 13 and my teeth are so wonky! everywon says they look fine but im so self concious!

Posted on 14 Feb 2010 23:09 by laura
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At 13 I had the same problem as you but your dentist will probably notice and you could get NHS covering the cost of braces for you in the next couple of years. Im 16 and I've had braces for two years now.

Posted on 19 Mar 2010 23:02 by James
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hi,i'm seventeen and i keep getting really dull pains in my molar every so often and the pain get's really really unbearable sometimes it affects my cheeks and the whole side of my face,i've been to the dentist and they told me it was a minor infection they gave me some antibiotics and pain killers for a week and said that it'll clear it up,a month later it's still here,can you please help me?:S

Posted on 11 Feb 2010 18:25 by anna
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hey, i am 15 and dont smoke but i feel that my teeth have a slight yellow tinge this is really effecting my confidence i find myself trying my best to keep my mouth closed when smiling. i do now clean my teeth twice a day but havent done in the past :( is there anything i can do to get them whiter?

Posted on 10 Feb 2010 23:15 by Rebecca
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