In general, we concentrate a lot on what our teeth look like – if they’re clean, white, straight, etc. But do you ever think about what your gums should look like? Their appearance can actually tell you a lot about their health, and what your dental routine may be lacking. Here’s a checklist of things to look out for, to make sure your gums stay healthy:
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All Posts in Category: Dental Tips
The Danger of Over Whitening Your Teeth
When we think of the perfect smile, straight, pearly white teeth are often what we picture. And with teeth whitening becoming the norm, it’s easier than ever to obtain that gleaming white smile. But, as with everything, too much whitening can do serious damage to your teeth.
How Menopause Affects Dental Health
When menopause occurs, women go through a great deal of changes and experience different side effects as a result. Some of these include hot flashes, weight gain, mood changes and trouble sleeping. But menopause can also affect a woman’s dental health – here are a few issues to be aware of:
What Not to do When it Comes to Your Teeth
You may have great teeth, and the perfect daily dental health routine – brushing twice per day, flossing daily, maybe even using mouthwash to rinse. But there could still be some bad habits or behaviours that can negatively affect your oral health, and you may not even realize it!
Using Teeth As a Tool – When items come in hard to open packages, it can seem like a good idea to use the strength of your teeth open them. In fact, this is a good way easily to chip or break a tooth. And when there is any type of opening, tooth decay can take over.
Biting Nails – Nail biting is a bad habit on its own, but it’s also terrible for your mouth. Teeth can very easily be chipped, cracked, or ground down due to nail biting. It has also been found that people who habitually bite their nails (or other items, such as pencils) may be at an increased risk for bruxism, also know as teeth grinding.
Mouth Piercings – Certain oral piercings can make big trouble within the mouth. Lip, tongue, and labret rings can cause wear to the gums and teeth, as well as potential infection, bleeding, and swelling. We would never tell you not to get a piercing – but know the risks before you commit.
Over-Whitening – While everyone would love to have pearly white teeth, there is such a thing as over-whitening – especially when it isn’t done in a professional office. Over-bleaching your teeth may cause tooth pitting or nerve damage, so it’s important to always have teeth whitened professionally. At Southeast Dental in Markham, we offer safe, effective, in-office whitening. To book an appointment to have your teeth safely whitened, give us a call at 905-471-2002, or easily book online.
Oral Health and Cancer Treatment
Undergoing treatment for cancer is an extremely difficult process for a person, one that comes with a great deal of impact of on the body. The mouth is no exception. In fact, cancer care affects dental health more than you’d expect – treatments like chemotherapy can weaken the immune system, making your mouth susceptible to infection. Radiation sometimes damages salivary glands, which can lead to dry mouth and even higher instances of tooth decay. But there are ways to make these issues less painful, and sometimes prevent them completely.
Haven’t Had a Dental Visit in Awhile? Here’s What to Expect
While it is recommended that you visit the dentist regularly, there are also many reasons why some people don’t – lack of dental coverage, a busy schedule, and even fear of the dentist can all play a part. But if you’ve made the decision to make a dental visit after a very long dental hiatus, it can be a bit of a process. Here are some things you can expect on your first visit back.
Caring for Your Teeth on Summer Vacation
For Canadians, one common summer pastime is going to a cottage or campsite to relax in the sun, sit around bonfires, and swim in the lake.While on relaxing summer vacations, it can be easy to forget to stick with daily dental care, but it’s important to make sure that you are prepared in advance and don’t neglect your teeth.
Your Dental Health Checklist During Pregnancy
Pregnancy affects all different facets of a woman’s body – and her mouth is no exception. In fact, dental health becomes even more important during those nine months of pregnancy. To make sure that your oral health needs are being met, we’ve put together a helpful checklist:
- Keep Brushing & Flossing – It’s more important than ever to keep brushing and flossing as you normally would. Though tiredness and generally feeling uncomfortable may make you want to forgo the routine once in awhile, keeping your mouth clean will help prevent problems.
- …Really, Always Floss! – Gingivitis becomes more prevalent during pregnancy; in fact, there is a very specific type of gingivitis that is specific to expecting women. Flossing daily will help to prevent this.
- Pay Attention to Changes – If you notice any changes to your mouth, gums, tongue, or teeth, be sure to let the dentist know as soon as possible. Some things are common, such as tastebuds changing or excess saliva. But other changes may need to be further explored.
- Take Supplements – Calcium, vitamin D, C, A, phosphorous, and protein are all important during pregnancy, not only for your dental health but also the baby’s. Their teeth begin to develop at 3 to 6 months of pregnancy, and supplements will play a key role in keeping them healthy.
- Keep Up Visits to Southeast Dental – It may be a good idea to have more frequent dental visits during your pregnancy, to ensure that any changes are looked at and potential problems are prevented. Call Southeast Dental at 905-471-2002, or book online at your convenience. We’ll make sure that your dental health is well taken care of while you’re pregnant.
Getting Your Smile Ready for Summer
Summer just got started, and that means warm weather, cold treats, and lots of sunshine! But while you’re relaxing on the beach or by the pool, sometimes your dental health can take a backseat to the fun of the warmer months. These tips will help ensure that your smile stays healthy all summer long!
Stay Hydrated
Drink lots of water throughout each day – especially on hot days! This is not only to keep your body hydrated, but also to prevent dry mouth that can cause bacteria to grow. Always have water on-hand, especially when you’re outside enjoying the warm weather.
Don’t Overdo the Sweets
There’s something about summer that makes us more likely to consume sugary snacks. Everything in moderation can be safe, and that includes sugar. But be sure not to overdo the sugary foods, and always brush and floss afterwards.
Handle the Cold Treats
What’s better than an ice-cold Popsicle on a hot day? If you suffer from any tooth sensitivity, a popsicle can quickly become a painful choice. Try using toothpaste specifically for sensitive teeth, and keep some of the colder options for an occasional treat.
Keep Up Your Routine
Vacations and summer adventures can make it easy to let your daily dental routine fall by the wayside, but it’s important to make sure you continue with your brushing and flossing every day. Make an appointment for a cleaning and a check-up with the dental team at Southeast Dental in Markham to make sure your dental health stays on the right track.
And the most important tip – have a fun summer!
Spring Cleaning Your Oral Health Routine
It may be June already, but it’s never too late to do some spring cleaning! So why not spring clean your oral health? Tackle some items you may have been ignoring and get your smile ready for the warm-weather months. Here are a few things you can do to spruce up your dental care: