Gum disease and tooth decay are preventable, and there are some very easy steps you can take to keep your teeth and gums healthy and give your smile a sparkly glow:

1. Brush your teeth twice a day, every day

Even if you’re in a rush to get out of the house or you cannot wait to hit the hay after a busy day at work, it’s important to find time to brush your teeth. All you need is two minutes every morning and evening and your chances of developing tooth decay or gum disease will be significantly lower.

2. Brush along to music

Most people admit they are unsure whether or not they reach the two minute mark when they brush their teeth and a great way to make sure you brush for the recommended time is to brush along to a song. Most songs last between two and four minutes, so this is ideal and it also makes brushing more fun!

3. Floss

Flossing is important because it picks up where brushing leaves off. With a normal brush, it’s impossible to clean between the teeth and flossing enables you to remove bacteria and food debris from these cracks and prevent plaque from developing.

4. Keep track of your dental appointments

Regular check-ups will reduce your risk of oral health problems significantly and help to keep your smile looking shiny and bright.

5. Use fluoride toothpaste

Fluoride toothpaste helps to protect the enamel, the hard outer layer of your teeth.

6. Watch out for warning signs

Look out for signs such as tooth pain, increased sensitivity, bleeding and swollen gums and arrange to see your dentist. It is always best to get symptoms checked out.

7. Avoid eating sugary foods between meals

When you eat, your enamel becomes weaker and it can only combat a limited of number of acid attacks per day. Try to avoid eating throughout the day and just stick to larger meals. If you feel hungry and fancy a snack, try to avid anything sugary or acidic.

8. Wait to brush after eating

Brushing immediately after eating can lead to enamel wear, so wait until the enamel has had chance to harden again before you brush. You should try to wait around one hour after eating.

9. Avoid smoking

Smoking stains the teeth, but it also increases your risk of gum disease as well as a whole host of other general health problems. Your dentist will be happy to offer advice about giving up smoking.

10. Watch what you eat

Consuming excessive amounts of sugar is really damaging to oral health, so make sure you are aware of what you are eating and look out for ‘hidden sugars’, which can often be found in ready meals and drinks.