The advice we repeat most often in our surgery, explained by our specialists. Small daily habits that avoid major treatments.
Brush in the morning and, above all, before going to bed, for two minutes. Use a soft-bristled brush angled 45 degrees towards the gum, with short strokes and without pressing hard. Replace it every three months or when the bristles splay.
The brush cannot reach the spaces between the teeth, where most cavities and gum problems start. Use floss or interdental brushes once a day, ideally at night. If it bleeds a little at first, do not stop: it is a sign that it was needed.
Choose a toothpaste with at least 1,450 ppm of fluoride for adults. After brushing, spit out the excess but do not rinse with lots of water: that way the fluoride keeps protecting the enamel for longer.
Bacteria that cause bad breath build up on the tongue. Clean it gently with your toothbrush or a tongue scraper, from back to front, once a day.
For your teeth, frequency matters more than quantity: every time you have sugar, bacteria produce acid for about 20 minutes. Keep sweets and soft drinks for main meals and avoid sugary snacks between meals.
If you cannot brush after a meal, rinse with water or chew sugar-free gum for a few minutes. Both help neutralise acids and wash away food remains.
Citrus fruit, wine, soft drinks or vinegar temporarily soften the enamel. If you brush straight afterwards, you wear it away. Wait about 30 minutes and rinse with water in the meantime.
When the first teeth come through it is time for the first check-up. It is a short visit with no treatment, so that the child gets to know the clinic, we spot habits to correct and visiting the dentist feels natural from the start.
Do not dip the dummy in honey or sugar and do not let the baby fall asleep with a bottle of milk or juice: this causes bottle caries. Try to stop the dummy between two and three years of age so it does not affect the bite.
Until that age children do not have the skill to brush well on their own. Let them start and then finish the job yourself, with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and the right fluoride for their age.
Even if nothing hurts. Cavities and gum disease do not hurt until they are advanced. A yearly check-up with professional cleaning catches them in time and avoids major treatments. If you have gum problems, every six months.
Bleeding is not normal: it is the first warning of gingivitis. What you need to do is the opposite of avoiding it: brush the area well and floss. If it is still bleeding after two weeks, book an appointment with the periodontist.
Jaw pain or headaches in the morning, sensitive or worn teeth and clicking when you open your mouth are signs of bruxism. A custom-made night guard protects your teeth and relaxes the muscles while you sleep.
Besides staining teeth, tobacco multiplies the risk of gum disease, slows healing after surgery and implants and is the main risk factor for oral cancer. Quitting improves the health of your gums within a few weeks.
In contact sports, skating, cycling or ball sports, a custom-made mouthguard prevents fractures and tooth loss. Shop-bought ones protect less and move around; ask us for one fitted to your mouth.
Hold it by the crown, never by the root, and do not rub or dry it. If it is clean, try to put it back in place; if not, keep it in milk or in your own saliva. Call us and come as soon as you can: within the first hour the chances of saving it are much higher.
Keep the piece if you find it, rinse with lukewarm water and avoid chewing on that side. If there is a sharp edge, you can cover it with orthodontic wax or sugar-free gum until your appointment. Do not use glue.
Take your usual painkiller following the instructions, never place an aspirin on the gum (it burns it) and avoid heat on your face: if there is an infection, it makes it worse. If you notice swelling or fever, call us the same day.
They are general recommendations. Every mouth is different and only an examination at the clinic can tell what yours needs. If you have pain, persistent bleeding or any doubt, call us and we will see you as soon as possible.
Call us or write to us and we will give you an appointment as soon as possible at our clinic in Playa de San Juan. First visit with diagnosis and quote, with no obligation.