Spring is almost officially here. As you begin to clear things out, mentally and physically, you will want to consider a fresh start for your oral hygiene regimen as well. Why is this important? Maintaining good oral health is important for your teeth as well as your well-being, and after the long, cold winter, full of holidays, vacations, and flu season, you’ll want to switch up your routine. This means a deep and thorough cleaning of your mouth, alongside a refreshed, and healthier diet to start spring off in the right direction.

Here is your list of spring cleaning to do’s for your teeth:

Basic Cleaning & Checkup

When was the last time you were at the dentist’s office for a cleaning and checkup? These are usually recommended to take place once every six months. However, depending on your individual dental needs, this may be more often. Regular dental visits are important because they help keep your teeth and gums healthy. Usually a visit will have two parts; checkup and cleaning. During the checkup portion of a visit, the dentist will ensure that your mouth, gums and teeth are healthy; while during cleaning the portion of the visit the dentist will conduct a thorough cleaning of your teeth, including the removal of tartar, which cannot be removed at home. In order to keep your mouth clean in between your routine visits, you can make sure to do the following:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day
• Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride
• Floss at least once per day
• Use mouth rinse to get rid of plaque and bacteria, this will also give you fresher breath!

Remember that your dental health is not only important for your teeth, but important for your whole body as well. Left untreated, bacteria in our mouths can cause a number of infections, including gum disease or, in some cases, even more serious diseases. The dentists at Oakville Place Dental Office are here to provide you with a range of services for a healthy mouth. Healthy teeth and gums not only help you maintain a beautiful smile, they also contribute to your overall health by preventing infection and reducing the incidence of oral decay.

Replace Your Toothbrush

This may seem like the lowest priority on your list, but did you know that you should be replacing your toothbrush every three months? If you can’t remember when yours was changed last, it is probably about time to get a new one! This is especially important after a long cold and flu season. Replacing an old toothbrush will get rid of bacteria and will help you to avoid spreading germs. If you happen to have a dentist appointment booked in the near future, the news gets even better for you since toothbrushes are usually given to you during your visit to the dentist. So if you time it correctly, you can replace your toothbrush every time you have a cleaning, though in some cases you may need to do so more frequently than your visits to the dentist.

Whiten Your Teeth

If you’re feeling a little bit blah after a long or cold winter, whitening your teeth may be just what you need to put the pep back into your step this spring. A whiter, brighter smile can help improve your overall appearance, and even boost your self confidence. Discover the difference a brighter smile can make:

• Can make you look more youthful
• Give you even more reasons to smile
• Inspire you to practice better brushing and flossing habits to maintain your new smile

Eat Healthier

A spring cleaning goes beyond routine cleanings, it also starts with a healthier routine. Now that winter is coming to a close, you will also be able to starting to enjoy the outdoors a little but more. For some, this also means getting back on track with a healthier routine. Healthy teeth start with a healthy diet! What you eat can affect your oral health, so it is important to watch what you’re consuming. Here are some tips on what you should or should not include in your diet:

• DO choose healthy foods, such as dark chocolate. Why? Researchers in Osaka, Japan found that parts of the cocoa bean prevent mouth bacteria and tooth decay!
• DO chew sugar-free gum. Why? It increases saliva flow and cleans out food debris from teeth.
• DO eat apples. Why? They produce saliva and help clean your teeth.
• DO eat hard cheese, because it protects teeth from bacteria and contains calcium, which also helps rebuild your teeth.
• NO sweets or popcorn. Why not popcorn? Husks can get lodged between teeth or under gums, which can cause inflammation or pain. Worse still, kernels can crack incisors or even molars!

This spring, check your dental health off your list and make sure you walk into the new season with clean, healthy, pearly whites! Your oral health is an important part of your overall health, and at Oakville Place Dental Office, we are here to help you and your family get quality dental care. We offer a range of oral health services to our Oakville patients, from routine check-ups and regular dental cleanings to more comprehensive care such as fillings, wisdom teeth removal, cosmetic care, and root canals. Contact us to book an appointment today or to find out more!