Dentistry and oral surgery - Advice and prevention

ADVICE AND PREVENTION

• Clean your teeth after each meal with::
• • A soft-bristle toothbrush Brush gently, never too hard, otherwise you may damage your gums. Brush your teeth and tongue. Change your toothbrush every 3 months
  • Dental floss (tape or thread, with or without wax) to clean every tooth. Insert it between your teeth and slide the floss over each of the front and rear faces of the teeth.
  • Interdental brushes They are cylindrical and much smaller than normal toothbrushes. They are designed to clean the areas between the teeth, next to the gums, where food may be deposited.
  • If you have problems with bad breath (halitosis), use a mouthwash.
• Visit your dentist for a check-up at least once a year (it is advisable to go every six months). At check-ups, small problems may be found that if detected early always have less serious consequences than if you were to wait until you experience symptoms: pain, sensation of cold and/or heat, discomfort, etc. For example a small cavity, if not treated, in the medium term could lead to a larger one, and the need for endodontics or even the loss of the tooth, which would result in a much more serious problem and a higher cost.
• Do not smoke. Smoking is very harmful to the gums, teeth, tongue and the mouth in general.
• Follow a healthy diet. Follow a balanced diet with carbohydrates, proteins, fruit and vegetables and avoid eating sweets with sugar, especially between meals, to avoid the formation of bacterial dental plaque.
• Avoid bad habits. Do not bite your fingernails, do not crack nuts with your teeth or open bottles, etc. This can damage your teeth.
• If you play any contact sports: football, basketball, handball, rugby, boxing, etc. or that may entail a certain risk such as roller or field hockey, etc. you should protect your teeth with a mouth guard.