keep your smile healthy

What's the best way to keep dentists at bay? Michele Simmons explains how to achieve healthy teeth and healthy gums

Believe it or not, one of the most sensitive areas of the whole body is the mouth. But the joys of taste and texture those little nerve endings provide can also cause a considerable amount of pain and discomfort. The fact is that most of the discomfort can be avoided by good oral hygiene - which basically means cleaning teeth thoroughly and seeing a dentist regularly.
Good oral hygiene is vital. Brushing twice a day and flossing regularly will get rid of any build-up of plaque, which in itself reduces the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Nothing to smile about

When it comes to the dental world, plaque is most definitely public enemy number one. Plaque is a thin, almost invisible sticky bacterial layer that forms on the surface of the teeth when we eat foods containing sugars and starches. The bacteria in plaque produce acids which attack tooth enamel. After several attacks, the tooth enamel breaks and a cavity forms. What's more, if the build-up of plaque is not removed daily by regular brushing, it can also cause gum disease.

Keep in with the tooth fairy

According to the British Dental Health Foundation, the best way to keep your teeth in top condition is to follow some basic dos and don'ts. So:

Do

1. Try to have a small cube of hard cheese, like Cheddar, at the end of a meal.

2. Avoid eating between meals if possible - but if you do snack choose nuts and fruit such as bananas or apples rather than sweets, biscuits and other refined carbohydrates. Or try plain popcorn.

3. Go for a glass of milk rather than a sugary fizzy drink.

4. Avoid breakfast cereals that are coated in sugar, honey or chocolate.