Valentine’s Day is a celebration of those you love. This often means showing others you care for them, via gifts of cards, flowers, and of course chocolates and candy. But like all holidays that see an influx of sugary treats, it can mean a higher chance of cavities and other oral health problems. But there are ways to enjoy these sweets without causing damage to your teeth. Here are a few to help you this Valentine’s Day.
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All Posts in Category: Dental Tips
Your Daily Oral Hygiene Routine
On the Southeast Dental blog, we talk a lot about daily oral hygiene routines and why they’re so important. With all the information about the right toothbrushes and flosses, how long to brush, whether or not to use mouthwash, etc., it can make these routines seem complicated. That’s why we thought it would be helpfulto outline what an effective daily oral health routine should look like, so you can see how simple it is to keep your smile healthy and bright.
The Proper Way to Floss
Flossing is an important part of our daily dental hygiene routines. It allows us to clean the food debris and bacteria from between our teeth and prevent decay. If you’re unsure of the proper way to floss, or want to make sure that you’re flossing effectively, we’ve put together easy step-by-step instructions to guide you in your daily flossing.
Ways to Strengthen Teeth with Food
While your daily dental hygiene and specific toothpaste used help to keep your teeth strong and healthy, did you know what the foods you eat have a big impact as well? We’ve posted about the foods that can help clean teeth between brushing (and the worst ones), but this time we’re looking at foods that help teeth from the inside out.
New Year, New Dental Habits
It’s another new year! Whether or not you create resolutions for yourself, it’s never a bad idea to continue to improve your health and wellness – and that includes your dental health. Since a new year is a great excuse to make positive changes, here are a few new dental habits you can introduce into your daily routines!
Eat Less Sugar
It’s no secret that sugar is one of the worst things for your oral health. So why not try to cut down in 2017? It’s easiest when done incrementally, instead of cutting off all sugar right away. Try starting off small, such as using less sugar in your coffee, eating cereals without added sugar, and snacking on more fruits instead of cookies and candies. Slowly but surely, sugar cravings will start to subside and your mouth (and body) will thank you!
Clean Teeth on the Go
Life is busy. Between work, school, family, friends, hobbies, and everything in between, it can be hard to find the time to properly clean your teeth between meals. Luckily, there are options to help you when you’re unable to get home to your toothbrush. Try chewing sugarless gum after eating, and be sure to drink plenty of water. Or, if you have a spare minute, bring along a travel sized toothbrush and toothpaste with you to brush in a bathroom where available. When those are not options, look to crunchy veggies to help clean your teeth!
Floss
If you aren’t currently flossing, now is a great time to start. It helps to clean the food debris and bacteria between the tweet and above the gumline, preventing gingivitis and other oral diseases. If you’ve never flossed before, it’s ok to start slow. But aim to eventually floss every single day, as an integral part of your daily hygiene routine.
Make Regular Dental Appointments
Seeing your dentist regularly is one of the best things you can do for your oral health. If you’re not currently having cleanings and check-ups done when you should, why not start now? At Southeast Dental, we’re your partners in whole mouth health. Call today to make your appointment at our Markham Dental clinic. Happy new year!
Keeping Your Tongue Clean
As we mentioned in past posts, your tongue is a big part of your oral health, and it can be a great indicator of how healthy your mouth actually is. Because of that, taking proper care of your tongue is important. Though often ignored, tongues need to be kept clean – especially to ward off bad breath due to bacteria from the foods we eat.
Unsure of how to properly care for your tongue? As always, we’re here to help!
Making the Most of Your Dental Visits
Regular dental check-ups and cleanings are an important part of keeping your teeth and mouth healthy. In order to make the most of every visit, there are a few things you can do to ensure they’re as effective as possible.
The Worst Foods for Your Teeth
In previous blog posts we’ve outlined some foods that are great for your teeth – these include apples, carrots, cheese, and lean protein. They can help clean your teeth between meals, and some even help to neutralize the bad bacteria that build up in your mouth. But, of course, there is an even longer list of foods that are terrible for your teeth. We’ve put together a list of the worst oral health culprits you can eat.
5 Signs of a Healthy Mouth
How do you know when your mouth is healthy? You may brush twice a day, floss, eat healthy foods and generally take good care of it – but even with those good habits, there could be areas that need further attention. Here are some of the ways you can tell that your mouth is a healthy one:
Gums – Healthy gums should be light pink in colour, and have a firm, smooth texture. Red, swollen, and even bleeding gums can be a sign of gingivitis or other gum diseases.
Breath – Bad breath happens to everyone, and in general it shouldn’t be seen as a sign of oral health problems. But if the odour persists, even with a proper daily hygiene routine, it could mean there’s an underlying concern.
Inner Cheeks – Your inner cheeks should normally be pink, glossy and smooth. Check for white, gray, or red patches, as well as swelling. Sometimes we can accidentally bite on the cheeks, causing irritation or bumps – this can be normal. But if it happens often, it’s a good idea to mention that to your dentist.
Tongue – Your tongue can tell you a lot of about the health of your mouth. If it’s pink, clean, and covered with small bumps (which are called papillae), that’s a great sign. Pay attention if your tongue changes colour or texture – if it becomes red, inflamed, or covered in a white film that is difficult to brush off, talk to your dentist.
Teeth – We often consider healthy teeth to be white, and that is partially true. Naturally, teeth should be a uniform, off-white colour. While yellow teeth do not necessarily mean that teeth are unhealthy, it can indicate issues with the enamel or dentin. Gaps, crowding, and broken teeth are also important items to pay close attention to.
Your dental check-ups will allow the dentist to keep an eye on your mouth to ensure there are no unhealthy signs. Be sure to stick to regular cleanings to keep your mouth at its healthiest. To book your appointment with the smile team at Southeast Dental in Markham, give us a call 905-471-2002.
Keeping Cavities at Bay
Preventing cavities is an important part of dental care. While there are many oral health issues we all work to keep from occurring, cavities are the number one reason most people make an effort to take proper care of their teeth. But there are different ways to help prevent cavities, and we want to ensure that you’re well-informed and ready to fight those dental caries!