The crisis in NHS dentistry was a hot topic during the final days of the general election campaign. While Labour claimed to have renewed the fabric of the NHS and said the job is nearly done, Tories promised to introduce a new dentistry contract that will focus on good dental health rather than the number of treatments achieved. But none of this will happen overnight and our pretty smiles are still at danger.

Last year, the 42-year-old Ian Boynton from East Yorkshire was forced to extract thirteen of his own teeth with pliers. He had to resort to this extreme form of DIY dentistry because it was impossible to get an appointment with an NHS dentist and he couldn’t afford to go private. As an Iraq War veteran, he hadn’t been registered with a dentist since 2001 and hadn’t had his teeth looked at since seeing the army dentist in 2003. To avoid ending up like Boyton, you might want to start looking into dental insurance plans, but the key to a healthy smile is respecting your oral hygiene.

The least you can do to protect your teeth is brush them at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Don’t rush when you brush and make sure you clean every surface, including the inside and chewing surfaces of your teeth. After you’re done, brush your tongue too. No need to use a special scraper, just a quick but thorough scrub with your brush and some toothpaste will do. It’s important to get rid of the bacteria that thrive on the back of your tongue because they can cause bad breath as well as tooth decay. You should also floss at least twice a week because you can’t brush between your teeth. It doesn’t hurt to use dental chewing gum, though you should never let this replace a tooth brushing session.

Apart from these basic things, you can try to make your life style more tooth friendly too. For example, try not to eat or drink more often than seven times a day. The sugar in your food or drink will react with the bacteria in plaque, which causes an acid attack that lasts for up to an hour. The acid will erode the enamel. Your mouth can deal with up to seven acid attacks a day, but it’s important not to exceed this number. If you go to the pub, it’s better to avoid very sweet or acidic drinks such as cider, Bacardi Breezer or coke. If you have to drink alcohol, lager is recommended. Some drinks, on the other hand, can be beneficial for your oral health. A recent study reveals that a cup of green tea a day is good for your teeth because it contains catechins, antimicrobial molecules that attack mouth bacteria associated with tooth decay and gum disease.

Last but not least: remember to visit your dentist on an annual basis and show up if you’ve got an appointment. If that means you’ll have to go private and get a dental insurance, so be it. You don’t want to wait until you’re in pain – pain is a sign that something is wrong. If you wait, you’ll be too late. Seeing a dentist regularly can help to prevent problems. He’s not a bad guy; he’s there to help you maintain that sparkling white smile.