Trainee Dental Nurses are responsible for helping with dental hygiene but it’s important to remember to keep your own smile in order to make sure you are ready to greet your patients with a beautiful, bright smile!

SmileWisdom have put together our Top 10 Tips tips to help you:

  1. Don’t go to bed without brushing your teeth. Brush at least twice a day, morning and evening. Choose a toothbrush with a small head for better access to back teeth. Soft bristles are kinder on your gums. Electric toothbrushes have been shown to remove significantly more plaque than manual ones.
  2. Use fluoridated toothpaste. Fluoride helps to harden tooth enamel and reduces your risk of decay.
  3. Brush properly. Tooth brushing should take between two and three minutes.
  4. Don’t forget to brush your tongue. Remember that plaque also builds up on your tongue, so brush it gently every time you clean your teeth.
  5. Floss your teeth daily and use interproximal brushes to clean between your teeth.
  6. Limit acidic drinks like soft drinks, cordials and fruit juices. Food acids soften tooth material and dissolve the minerals in tooth enamel, causing dental caries.
  7. Limit sugary foods. Bacteria in dental plaque change sugars into acids. If you want to eat something sweet, it is best to have it with or right after your main meal. You can also use fluoride mouthwash after eating.
  8. If you do not want to use fluoride mouthwash after eating, drink more water. Drinking water after your meal can help wash out some of the negative effects of sticky and acidic foods and beverages in between brushes.
  9. Eat foods that contain nutrients good for your teeth. Calcium-rich foods, such as low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt and cheese, fortified soy drinks and tofu, salmon, almonds, dark green leafy vegetables and strawberries help promote strong teeth and bones. Phosphorus, found in eggs, fish, lean meat, dairy, nuts and beans is also good for strong teeth.
  10. Avoid using your teeth for anything other than chewing food. If you use them to crack nuts, remove bottle tops or rip open packaging, you risk chipping or even breaking your teeth.