Life is often complicated and busy, and especially at this time of year, but good oral health matters tremendously. Having healthy teeth and gums is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle, and good oral care isn’t that difficult or complicated.
Why Care About Your Oral Health?
When you don’t care about your oral health in Oshawa, the results can be upsetting or even potentially catastrophic. You are more likely to get cavities and gum disease. In the worst case, you can lose teeth. Failing to care for your mouth increases the chances of bad breath or halitosis. Perhaps even more worrying is the potential effect on your general health. Poor oral health, especially gum disease, can increase the risk of serious health problems and is increasingly linked to issues including diabetes and heart disease.
Spending a Little Time at Home Can Save Time in the Dental Chair
Spending a little time on your oral health at home can save you a lot of time in the dental chair, and it only takes a few minutes each day to maintain a healthy smile. Most of what is needed is simply common sense, such as brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing daily.
However, you do need to think about what you are doing while brushing and concentrate on using the proper techniques. For example, make sure you concentrate on cleaning one section of your mouth before moving onto the next section so that all tooth surfaces are cleaned thoroughly. If you have an electric toothbrush, it is easy to brush for the full two minutes. Otherwise, set the timer on your phone or keep a small timer in the bathroom. Make sure you use the right equipment, choosing a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Be sure to change your toothbrush or toothbrush head every three months or as soon as it begins to look worn. An ageing toothbrush cannot clean your teeth adequately.
Flossing is essential for oral health as your toothbrush cannot clean between your teeth. These contact areas are the very places where tooth decay and gum disease can first begin to develop. One common mistake is to be too stingy with the dental floss. You need to break off a length of about 45cm or 18 inches every time you floss your teeth in Whitby. It may look like a lot, but wind most of the floss around the middle finger of one hand, and manipulate it using your index fingers and thumbs. Gently work the floss between each tooth, taking it right down to and just below the gum line. Alternatively, you can use other flossing tools like interdental brushes or soft picks to clean between your teeth.
If you are at all concerned about your brushing and flossing technique, please remember we are here to help you. Patient education is a big part of our practice, and we can show you some simple brushing and flossing techniques that will have you cleaning your teeth like a professional!
Good Nutrition Is an Important Part of the Equation
Eating healthy foods is an important part of maintaining good oral health in Ajax. Without the right nutrients, your mouth will find it harder to fight disease. Also, the time you eat certain foods can make a big difference. For example, whenever you eat something sugary, it increases acidity levels in your mouth for up to an hour afterwards. This is because the sugar feed bacteria in plaque that, in turn, produce acid that weakens tooth enamel. Therefore, it’s better to have sugary foods as part of the main meal rather than as a snack.
Don’t forget to visit us regularly here at Margolian Dentistry. We can monitor your dental health closely and help prevent oral health problems.
