Dental health: Teeth and gum care

Tips for eating sensibly

Eat a variety of foods but realise that foods containing sugars and starches produce the most acids and stay longest in the mouth. Hard sweets are especially harmful because of the time they stay in the mouth.

Choose your snacks carefully because most people don't brush after snacks. Starchy food, like crisps, stick to the teeth. Avoid snacking on:

• Sweets, cakes and pies
• Sugary gum
• Crackers, breadsticks and crisps
• Dried fruits and raisins

Dental check-ups

Visit your dentist and hygienist at least once every six months. To maintain healthy teeth and gums, it's important to have regular check-ups and professional cleaning. You should also visit the dentist if you feel pain in your teeth or mouth or if you experience bleeding or swollen gum.

You can also ask your dentist about dental sealants, which are materials used to coat the top, chewing surfaces of the teeth. This coating protects the tooth from decay and usually lasts a long time.

Further Reading:

Gum problem basics: Sore, swollen and bleeding gums

The health perils of gum disease

Dental care: Caring for teeth & gums

Oral Health: Mouth-Body Connection

Oral cancer

Slideshow: Most common problems in your mouth

The health perils of gum disease