Spring is almost here – thank goodness! –  and while we all try to keep fit and eat a healthy diet, we can easily forget how important it is to look after our mouths and teeth too.

Here are a few oral health spring cleaning tips you can use all year long:

Flossing before bedtime

Many of us are aware that flossing is important but we all know that at some stage or another we are all guilty of neglecting our flossing duties.

In the spring we take the time to clean out our homes to start fresh, so why not do the same with your personal hygiene too and kick yourself into the habit of flossing every day?

Flossing once a day, preferably at night helps to remove any harmful plaque and tartar that leads to gingivitis, which is the early stage of gum disease.

Using Mouthwash

Mouthwash is used for a huge amount of reasons,  from helping to freshen  breath, controlling tooth decay,  reducing plaque, preventing or reducing gingivitis, or to  do all of these things at once! Mouthwash can be used before or after brushing, but it should not be used as a substitute for brushing and/or flossing. All three of these are essential to a successful oral health regime and should be done on a daily basis.  Different mouthwashes are avaiable for different purposes, so take the advice of your dentist or dental hygienist as to which is most appropriate for you.

Eating Healthy Foods

The last oral health spring cleaning tip is to eat plenty of foods that are known to promote good overall health and clean the mouth naturally. Make these foods and drinks mainstays of your diet:

Tea

Green tea contains antioxidant plant compounds that reduce plaque, cavities, and the risk of gum disease. The fluoride in teas can even strengthen tooth enamel. Tea is also known to help reduce bad breath.

Water

Water cleans the mouth, produces saliva, washes away particles from the teeth, and helps to freshen your breath.

Fruits and Vegetables

Many fruits and vegetables such as celery, carrots, and cucumbers are naturally abrasive, so eating them helps to clean your teeth, massages your gums, and removes harmful plaque and bacteria. The Vitamin C in apples, strawberries and kiwis promotes healthy gums, and the Vitamin A in pumpkins, carrots, sweet potatoes and broccoli is good for tooth enamel. Raw onions can even kill common bacteria found in the mouth.

Share your spring cleaning oral health tips with other patients on our Facebook page or call one80dental for advice on 0114 350 3180.