Preventative Maintenance For Your Teeth

Dentist Blog

Are your teeth looking a little dull and yellow? Has your dentist told you that dentures or crowns are in your future? Well there is hope – taking care of your teeth now may save you from expensive and complicated dental work in the future. Here are few things you can do every day to strengthen your teeth and keep them healthy-looking.

Brush AND Floss

It's important to brush and floss at least twice a day. Brushing after every meal is even better, but twice a day is the minimum. Flossing is just as important as brushing because it removes food that brushing can't. Quality mouthwash after flossing is a great idea as well. With this 3-step maintenance plan, plaque won't build up, cavities will be kept at bay and your teeth will be white as snow! There are conflicting views on whether or not baking soda is good or bad for your teeth, so ask your dentist for his/her opinion if you are also considering adding this to your maintenance plan.

Don't Forget your Tongue

Many people overlook this, but it's an important part of your oral hygiene care. Use a tongue scraper to remove plaque and freshen your breath. You can purchase these wherever you find other oral care products.

Choose Foods Wisely

Obviously, sugary foods should be avoided (both for your teeth and your waistline). But healthier foods can also cause a problem if eaten in large quantities. Hard seeds such as from sunflowers, sesame, pumpkin and quinoa can all produce fissures in your molars. This can overstress your teeth and pull the sealants. Healthy food is, of course, a better choice; you just need to eat these types of seeds in moderation. Coffee, tea and red wine can also stain your teeth over time, so drink these sparingly. Don't forget to rinse afterwards.

Visit your Dentist Regularly

A professional cleaning every six months will keep your teeth looking shiny and healthy. Your dentist will also be able to identify possible problems or issues and can deal with them right away. If you've been taking care of your teeth in between visits, it won't take as long and likely won't cost as much.

Ask your dentist for other tips on how you can care for your teeth in between visits. If dentures, crowns or other alternatives are needed, make sure you get all of your questions answered about the procedures and what to expect both before and after. Some dentists offer payment plans, so be sure to ask about those as well.

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1 December 2015

Unraveling Dental Myths about Children: A Blog for Parents

When I had my first child, I was a nervous wreck. Every book I read gave different advice, and I just wanted to be right! By the time I had my third child, some of the stress had abated. I now realised, there were tons of different perspectives on everything related to raising children including dentistry. To help parents, I have created this blog dedicated to unraveling dental myths about children. I am including posts that weigh both sides of issues such as thumb sucking, dental caries, breastfeeding, flossing and any other topic I can think of. I hope you find the information you need to unravel dental myths, but most importantly, I hope you find some peace of mind. With kids and dentistry, there can be more than one right answer, and I want you to be able to relax and go with the answer that's right for you.