The team at Oakville place Dental office is closely monitoring the developments regarding COVID-19. Your dental health and safety is still our priority.
As soon as the province allows dental offices to open for general dental care, we will be letting you know, and we look forward to that time.
In the meantime, should you have a dental emergency or concern, please email our office.
For Dr. Solomon, please email: bella@cogeco.net
These emails are Back to Basics: How to Brush Your Teeth and Take Care of Themmonitored often, and we will try to get back to you as soon as we can.
Please leave us an email and phone number to contact. You can also call 289 259 8565.
We look forward to healthy smiles and safer times.
If there’s one rule of dental care we all know, it’s brushing our teeth regularly — that’s after every meal, or at least twice a day to avoid cavities, bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease. Regular brushing cleans the teeth of food morsels and other deposits and gives you minty-fresh breath throughout the day. But are you doing it right? We all know about when we need to brush, but do you know how to do it properly?
From choosing the right, soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid abrasions and injuring the gums, to flossing regularly, finding the right toothpaste and staying away from cavity-causing sugary treats, there’s a lot to proper teeth brushing and oral care we need to be reminded of.
Get ready to flash those pearly whites and chomp down on your favourite foods safely, thanks to strong, beautiful teeth.
1. Choose the right toothbrush and use it properly
The right toothbrush can make all the difference in the level of clean you get, as well as the strength of your teeth and gums.
To start, make sure you choose a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid abrasions and stripping away the enamel of the teeth prematurely. Combined with the right fluoride toothpaste, you can protect your pearly whites from cavities and ensure a deep, thorough clean.
When brushing, start in the back of the mouth where the molars are found and work your way to the front in a short, clockwise circular motion. Make sure to brush behind the upper and lower front and side teeth. Small bits of food and mineral deposits don’t just stay lodged in front and often stay hidden in the back.
2. Don’t forget the tongue
Brushing the teeth is just one part of cleaning the mouth thoroughly. The tongue, the roof of your mouth, and the insides of your cheeks also host plaque and bacteria from food particles. Ever wondered why there’s still a lingering hint of bad breath after brushing? That’s why.
Brush your tongue, the insides of your cheeks, and the roof of your mouth using a gentle, circular motion. This ensures a safe but thorough clean that won’t cause abrasions, so your minty fresh breath stays on for longer as plaque and bacteria are washed out.
3. Rinse
When you’re done brushing your teeth and tongue, it’s time to rinse the toothpaste out of your mouth. Use water for the first couple of rinses, and finish off with your choice of mouthwash. This ensures a thorough clean and keeps your breath fresh for longer.
Want minty-fresh breath on the regular and keep your teeth strong and healthy for a beautiful smile? Now that you’re refreshed with the basics, you can brush better every day with these helpful tips:
1. Use a fluoride toothpaste
Fluoride works like a magic ingredient in your toothpaste. It’s known to whiten the teeth and provide a deep, thorough clean. That’s because fluoride fights off germs that cause tooth decay, and in the process, acts as a protective barrier that strengthens the teeth from damage.
2. Make teeth brushing part of your routine
It’s good hygiene to wash your face, change into clean clothes, or even shower off the dirt and grime at the end of the day. So why shouldn’t your teeth get the same treatment?
The basic rule is to brush your teeth at least twice a day. It’s tempting to crash right into bed — and off to deep sleep — after a long day, but make sure to brush first. This gets rid of germs, plaque, and food particles accumulated throughout the day, beginning with your morning coffee all the way through to your meals and snacks you munched on.
3. Floss as much as you brush
Flossing is just as important as brushing, and despite what you’ve been told, it’s not just for removing small food morsels lodged in between the teeth that the toothbrush can’t get to. More than that, flossing actually stimulates the gums and reduces the plaque, which also reduces inflammation in the area.
We know how much of a pain it is to keep up with regular flossing. If you’re in a rush or have trouble kneading the floss through your teeth — often seen in young kids or older adults with arthritis — you can opt for ready-to-use dental flossers for a thorough clean.
4. Use mouthwash
Mouthwash isn’t designed to replace regular teeth brushing when you’re rushing out and need a quick, minty fresh rinse. It’s meant for after you brush. It reduces the acid level in the mouth and enhances the clean of hard-to-reach areas around the teeth and gums, giving your teeth that extra clean after brushing.
If you’re not sure which mouthwash is best for you, ask your dentist at your next regular check-up or cleaning, as they can recommend the best brand for sensitive teeth, kids, and other conditions.
5. Adopt better lifestyle habits
Oral health is body health — everything you do to your body affects your teeth and gums. Hydrating with water and swapping out sugary treats for fruits and vegetables are also good for the teeth and gums.
A glass of water after every meal washes away particles from sticky and acidic foods. Unlike sugary treats and acidic drinks, crunchy fruits and vegetables are high in fibre and exercise the jaws. These don’t wear down the enamel of the teeth and cause plaque build-up, ultimately leading to cavities and tooth decay.
6. See your dentist
Teeth brushing, flossing, and eating healthy are all great everyday habits, but they’re no substitute for actually seeing your dentist. Aim to book a check-up and cleaning at least twice a year. This allows your dentist to check for plaque build-up, cavities, and signs of gingivitis, and treat them before they worsen.
And remember these tips next time you brush your teeth!
For more on proper teeth brushing and better oral health, call Oakville Place Dental at 905-842-6030 or contact us here.
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