Bottled Water or Tap – What is Your Preference?

Tariq Drabu, the owner of the successful Langley Dental Practice has recently been discussing water options with his patients, to identify if they are drinking tap or bottled water and which one they prefer and why.

Tariq Drabu mentioned that water is imperative to good oral health and all patients should be sipping on plain water throughout the day to reduce the risk of dehydration. He stated that everyone sees that they should be drinking plenty of water each day, but often believe it to be hype. The fact of the matter is, if you love your teeth and you want to preserve them for as long as possible, you will start drinking water.

Dehydration

Tariq Drabu advised that dehydration is a serious problem when it comes to oral health. We rely on our saliva, which is an alkaline solution, to wash the mouth. When you get thirsty, your saliva dries up,

leaving your teeth exposed to harmful sugars, acids and bacteria. Drinking water throughout the day reduces the risk of dehydration, ensuring excellent saliva production to protect your teeth moving forward.

Clean mouth

Of course with each sip of water you take, you can swirl it around your mouth, which can help to keep your teeth clean. Rinsing with water helps to remove food particles which may have stuck to the teeth, thereby protecting the tooth and reducing the risk of tooth issues later on.

Replace sugar drinks

Tariq Drabu advised that there has been so much discussion regarding sugared drinks over the past few years. Sugar is one of the most dangerous things when it comes to oral health and is one of the leading causes for tooth decay in children nationwide. Replacing sugared drinks with water can only improve your overall oral health.

He also wanted to advise parents that water is completely safe for children. Children do not need fizzy drinks or fruit juices, in fact he advised what many parents don't realise is that fruit juices are also brimming with sugars which could have a negative impact on oral health in the long run.

So what is your preference?

Tariq Drabu advised that the majority of people prefer bottled water because it is filtered mineral water and doesn't have a taste but what he wants patients to understand is that most areas of the United Kingdom do not have fluoridated water, which is protective for the teeth. So when you next grab a glass for water, consider the tap water before bottled water, even if bottled is your preference.

What Flossing Option is Right for You?

So many people skip the important oral health routine of flossing. Dental floss isn't something you should miss out on. Everyone should be flossing at least once a day, according to Tariq Drabu, a leading dentist and specialist oral surgeon.

TariqDrabu owns the successful Langley Dental Practice in Middleton in the United Kingdom where he often discusses the importance of flossing with his patients. He advised that many patients will brush their teeth, but they don't floss. When they visit their dentist with tooth pain, they soon learn how flossing can help improve their oral health in the long run.

Dental floss enables you to get into the hard to reach places between the teeth that is missed by basic brushing. Tooth brushing cannot get in between the teeth, which is also prone to plaque, tartar, bacteria and food debris. Flossing at least once a day cleans between the teeth reducing the risk of gum disease and tooth decay.

Traditional Floss

Traditional floss is dental floss that has been used for years. It comes in a roll and there are flavoured options, if you want something different. To use you pull a long piece of floss, tearing it off using the cutter provided. Wrap the floss around your forefinger on one hand and the other side to the other hand and then gently wiggle the floss between each tooth. Concentrate on the inside of the tooth and gently along the gum line. Use a clean piece of floss for between each tooth to reduce the risk of spreading any infections you may have.

Floss Wands / Sticks

Floss sticks or wands are growing in popularity according to Tariq Drabu. For some people these are much easier to use and have a handle with the floss at the top, ideal for those with fine motor skill issues. You use the floss want the same as dental floss, working it between the teeth and along the gum line.

Prevention

Tariq Drabu advised that prevention is always better than cure when it comes to your teeth and you want to preserve your teeth for as long as possible. He prefers if his patients floss twice a day with brushing, but once a day is better than nothing. You can reduce your risk of gum disease and tooth decay by making sure you don't skip this important step of your oral health routine.

Tariq Drabu Advises Why Oral Health in Older Adults is So Important

Tariq Drabu is a leading dentist and specialist oral surgeon and the owner of the Langley Dental Practice in Middleton in the United Kingdom. He has advised that more focus is being placed on older adults oral health these days and wants patients to understand why a good oral health routine is so important in older years.

Higher risk

Older adults are at a higher risk of tooth decay, tooth loss, gum disease and more. As we get older our hands don't work as well, making it harder to hold a toothbrush or stand to brush our teeth for a full two or three minutes. Many patients in their older years find that they start suffering with tooth sensitivity and unwelcome gum disease, which can be detrimental to their oral health in the long run.

Routine dental check-ups

A very high percentage of older adults have not seen a dentist in the past year. This is something that cannot be cancelled or postponed. Tariq Drabu advised that there is a reason why dentists get their patients to come back for a follow up or check-up. The routine appointment is an opportunity for the dentist to identify if there are any underlying problems or dental issues that are just starting, this helps them put an effective treatment in place without delay, reducing the risk of the issue getting any worse, which could cost the patient more in the long run.

Relying on carers

Tariq Drabu stated that a large percentage of older adults in the United Kingdom rely on their carers to provide them with the oral care that they need. There has been a lot of focus on this of late and a guide book has been made available for carers on how to effectively care for their seniors teeth as part of their personal care plan.

Good routines

It is important, according to Tariq Drabu, that children and adults get into the habit of following a good oral health routine which can enable them to form a habit. This habit can be followed well into their senior years.

A good oral health routine should be:

1. Brush teeth twice daily. Once before bed and once in the morning.
2. Brush for a full two to three minutes focusing on each individual tooth.
3. Use a fluoride based toothpaste.
4. Change your toothbrush every three months or earlier if brush becomes frayed.
5. Floss daily
6. Attend routine dental check-ups.