The Oral Health Edit
Independent writing, evidence, and clinical perspectives on dentistry and oral health
The Oral Health Edit is home to my independent writing.
Here I explore oral health topics through clinical experience and evidence, including:
original articles
evidence-based projects
patient and professional education
product evaluation
selected work from my previous professional writing that has been reviewed and updated for publication here
Latest from The Oral Health Edit
5 tips to avoid tooth decay
Evidence based patient information resource: an explanation of tooth decay, what causes tooth decay, and 5 non-negotiable tips to avoid tooth decay.
Written by a UK dentist Dr Gemma Wheeler BDS (Hons) for adult patients.
5 non-negotiables to avoid tooth decay:
Brush your teeth twice a day, for two minutes at a time.
Use a fluoride-containing toothpaste.
Spit, don’t rinse after brushing your teeth.
Keep sugar to mealtimes only.
Avoid drinking sugary drinks.
What is tooth decay?
Tooth decay is a softening of the tooth surface. If left untreated, holes can form. It is a preventable disease. More advanced tooth decay needs treatment, such as fillings. The treatment options depend on how deep the decay is.
What causes tooth decay?
Tooth decay is caused by loss of minerals from the tooth surface. Every time sugar is put in the mouth, bacteria consume the sugar and produce acids as a waste product. The acids remove minerals from your teeth - a process called demineralisation. Saliva contains minerals to replace the minerals on your teeth - a process called remineralisation.
Tooth decay develops when minerals are lost more often than they can be replaced. Balancing demineralisation and remineralisation is the key to preventing tooth decay progressing.
Brush and clean between your teeth
Physical cleaning action removes the plaque layer from the teeth. Removing the bacteria reduces the risk of decay.
Brush your teeth twice a day, for two minutes each time.
Clean between your teeth to remove plaque where your toothbrush cannot reach.
Protect your teeth with fluoride
There is strong evidence that fluoride helps prevent tooth decay. Other remineralising ingredients are available, and the research for them is still evolving.
Use a toothpaste containing 1,350–1,500 ppm (parts per million) fluoride.
After brushing your teeth, spit the excess toothpaste out. Do not rinse with water as it dilutes the fluoride on your teeth.
Use a mouthwash that contains fluoride at a different time to brushing.
Reduce sugars in your diet
Reducing the frequency of sugar intake, as well as the total amount of sugar, will reduce your risk of tooth decay. Sugar has the same effect on teeth whether it is from a natural source or refined.
Do not add sugar, honey, or syrups to drinks. Use a sweetener instead.
Sugar-free versions of fizzy drinks reduce sugar exposure, but the acids can cause erosion.
Eat sweet foods at the end of a meal, rather than as a snack.
Check for sugars in foods marketed as “healthy”, such as protein bars, dried fruit, and fruit juices.
How your dental team can help
The dental team is here to support you and your oral health. They can provide tailored cleaning advice, and demonstrate how to clean effectively. They can also provide treatments to help protect your teeth against decay. Options include prescribing high-fluoride toothpaste, applying remineralising treatments to treat early decay, and placing fissure sealants to prevent plaque trapping on tooth surfaces.
Sources
Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England. Delivering better oral health: an evidence-based toolkit for prevention.
Walsh T et al. Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;3(3)