Simple Tips for Keeping Your Teeth Healthy Every Day

Simple Tips for Keeping Your Teeth Healthy Every Day

Parents want their little ones to adopt healthy habits as soon as they can walk, and nowhere is there greater emphasis than personal hygiene. Brushing our teeth and washing our hands is something we’re all shown how to do when we are toddlers, and with good reason. But there is something that is commonly overlooked. 

Health professionals like dentists have the ability to influence the behaviour of their patients with demonstrations and clear explanations, and yet the basics still get missed. We’re going to approach this guide with a dual perspective — talking to dental practitioners and hardworking parents — so that we can make sure the basics are never overlooked again. 

The importance of experts

Ask a dentist what they wish they could communicate to a patient and it would be these three things: 

• Certain foods will damage your teeth, regardless of how much you brush and rinse
• Flossing and using mouthwash should be done throughout the day — twice-daily brushing is not enough 
• Consistency is the name of the game when you want to be proactive when it comes to dental hygiene

The issue is that too few patients take heed of what their dentist is telling them, quickly falling back into old habits within a few days of their appointment. A quick look online will reveal so-called ‘instant fixes’ like DIY whitening treatments that, while potentially useful, are not solving the fundamental issues the patient has. The key is for dentists to actively recommend innovative products that really work. 

Recommending the right dental equipment 

Any practice that provides a quick demo at the end of each appointment will be able to dramatically improve patient outcomes, satisfaction, and retention rates. Showing a patient how to brush, and then recommending a specific type of brush, is something that will stick in their mind so much more than a few passing remarks during a deep clean. 

Dentists are also increasingly recommending more specialist brushes designed to access areas that are off-limits when using traditional brushes. The rise in popularity of interdental brushes is something that should be embraced by modern practices and health-aware patients. By being able to clean the gaps between teeth that can quickly cause gum pockets to develop, patients can take back control of their dental hygiene the smart way. 

Another key point to note here is that dentists who are willing to provide a demonstration and make a recommendation can access a new revenue stream. If a patient is sold on the simplicity and efficacy of a new style of brush, they will be primed to make a purchase before leaving the practice. Having the brushes on display at the reception desk is the smart way to provide a gentle nudge for sales that won’t overwhelm a patient who has just climbed out of the dentist’s chair.

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Focusing on daily consistency

Dentists who repeat the same core messaging at the end of every appointment will be able to improve patient outcomes. Likewise, patients who consistently put this expert advice into practice will be able to protect their teeth and keep their smiles shining for many years to come. Exactly what everyone wants to hear, regardless of which side of the table they’re sitting on. 

Parents who pass this information to their little ones and get them into good habits early will be setting them up for life. Studies have shown that children who are taken to a skilled and trusted dental practice in their local area, and who have conscientious parents, will likely use the same practice when they reach adulthood. 

The good news for dental practices is that by preaching the importance of consistent habits, they can make themselves much more approachable. Teenagers who then become adults will think nothing of staying with their local dentist because they will trust their advice and have seen their skills firsthand for many years. 

What happens next?

If you are a parent or a patient, scheduling your next dental checkup should be your next port of call. If you are a practice manager looking to grow your business, connecting with a trusted national supplier will help you expand into other revenue streams. By having the exact products you’re recommending your patients use in stock, you can upsell dozens of times a day simply by having them on offer in reception. Ideal when you want to be able to grow your practice by accessing new sources of revenue that competing practices may well be overlooking. 

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