From a young age, we learn what a toothbrush is and how to properly brush, floss, and generally care for our teeth. For generations, dental health routines have widely been the same. But have you ever wondered where our current teeth-cleaning methods came from? Here’s a brief history lesson.
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Teeth Cleaning on the Go
Busy lives can sometimes get in the way of sticking to a proper dental hygiene routine. If you find yourself rushing around all day, unable to find time to brush or floss, this post is for you. We’ve listed a few ways to keep your teeth as clean as possible without having to interrupt your already packed schedule too much.
Chew Sugarless Gum
One of the easiest options is to chew sugarless gum between meals and snacks. This will help to get food particles from the grooves of the teeth, as well as promote saliva production which neutralizes harmful bacteria.
Drink a Lot of Water
Keeping your mouth rinsed is important for a healthy a mouth. Having water nearby through the day and drinking often will help to flush away debris from food and, as mentioned above, neutralize bad bacteria. Not to mention that keeping hydrated is great for overall health as well.
Keep a Travel Toothbrush and Toothpaste with You
If you’re not home enough to get to your toothbrush, bring one with you! You can use them in the restroom at work, school, or anywhere else you happen to be. Travel-sized versions are perfect for carrying around wherever your busy day takes you. You can even purchase travel-sized floss to ensure that your usually dental health routine is kept up on the go.
Eat Healthy Snacks
Even the busiest people need to eat, so why not keep healthy snacks around that can help clean your teeth? Carrot sticks, apples, cheese, celery, and almonds are all great options to snack on to help clean teeth when brushing and flossing isn’t possible.
Gargle Mouthwash Between Meals
When all else fails, a quick mouth rinse and a gargle for fresh breath after eating is better than nothing. Mouthwash also comes in handy travel sizes, and can be used anywhere.
Of course, proper brushing and flossing is always the best option for a healthy mouth – even those with the busiest schedules should make sure to take the time to care for their teeth each day. And don’t forget your regular dental visits! Come see us at Southeast Dental in Markham; you can schedule it in when it works best for you, via our helpful online form.
Vacation & Your Oral Health
This time of year, many are ready to head to warmer climates to relax on beaches and get away from Canadian winters. And while you may not think it’s important to plan for your oral health, it is – not only is it easy to forgo your usual hygiene routine while on vacation, you may also run into problems that you wouldn’t think of.
Here are some tips to keep in mind while you plan for your holiday.
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!
Is Mouthwash Right for You?
If your daily mouth-cleaning routine is normal, you likely brush and floss each day – but what about mouthwash? Some people swear by it, while others don’t find it necessary. With so many different types now available, it can also be hard to decide which suits your needs. Here are some mouthwash facts so that you can decide if it’s right for your regimen.
What They Do:
There are many uses that mouthwash provides – to freshen breath, to minimize plaque, to prevent gingivitis, and even just as an after-brush rinse. The main types of mouthwash are cosmetic and therapeutic. Cosmetic varieties are mainly to mask bad breath and leave a pleasant taste, without killing bacteria or focusing on any other dental issues. Therapeutic varieties are for reducing plaque, fighting gingivitis and bad breath, and also preventing cavities. Many therapeutic mouthwashes contain fluoride.
Who Uses Them:
Mouthwash is beneficial for those who have difficulty brushing and flossing, as well as those with halitosis, or people with spaces or pockets in their gums. But they’re safe for anyone who is simply looking for an extra step to make their mouth as clean and fresh as possible.
How to Choose What Kind to Use:
As we mentioned above, not all mouthwashes are created equal. For example, some brands of mouthwash kill bacteria that cause cavities, while others merely offer a fresh minty flavour to hide bad breath. That said, the antibacterial versions often contain alcohol which may be a deterrent for some people. Since there are now many different types of mouthwash on the market, it’s a good idea to speak to a dental professional about the many options available.
If you aren’t sure whether or not mouthwash would be an effective addition to your oral hygiene routine, the smile team at Southeast Dental in Markham can help. At your next check-up, we can discuss the pros and cons and make the best decision for your specific needs.
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!
The Danger of Over-Brushing
The importance of properly brushing your teeth at least twice per day can’t be overstated – it’s your best defense against plaque, cavities and tooth decay. That said, there is such a thing as too much brushing, as well as brushing too aggressively. Over-brushing can cause the tooth’s protective enamel to wear down, and can also result in a receding gum line which can expose the roots and lead to even more oral health problems.
The Real Negative Effects of Smoking on your Oral Health
It’s common knowledge that cigarette smoking is terrible for your health, and the health of those around you. Its negative impacts are extensive. Lung cancer, pulmonary disease, heart disease, stroke – the list goes on. But those don’t even include the issues that smoking causes for your oral health, and there are a great deal of them.
A recent study has discovered that smoking actually changes the natural bacteria within the mouth, causing a number of problems. Without the naturally occurring oral bacteria, tooth decay and oral diseases become more prevalent. Another potential byproduct of smoking is tooth cancer and other oral cancers – in fact, oral cancer is currently one of the most common forms of cancer in Canada and smoking plays a big part of that.