Dental Hygiene and Teeth Cleaning
Serving Kanata, Stittsville and Ottawa, Ontario
Maintaining proper dental hygiene will help you prevent the development of serious dental problems such as gum disease and tooth decay. Furthermore, good dental hygiene will benefit your overall general health, since infections in your mouth can weaken your immune system, leading to additional health issues. The Dentistry at Main team will spend a great deal of time educating you and your family on proper dental hygiene practices so that you can maintain good oral health between cleanings.
How to Care for Your Teeth
You probably will not be surprised to hear that you should brush your teeth, but how you brush your teeth is even more important than the fact that you do it at all. When you brush your teeth you should:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day
- Use the softest bristle that will work for you
- Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 6 months
- Discard toothbrushes if the bristles are bent and worn
Most toothbrushes now have blue bristles which fade to indicate when it is time to change your toothbrush. If you are unsure which toothbrush or toothpaste to use, ask Ottawa general dentist Dr. Ami Barakat for a recommendation. You should also remember to:
- Floss between your teeth at least once a day
- Use mouthwash if necessary to fight bacteria
Why Professional Teeth Cleaning (Periodontal Therapy) is Important
Brushing and flossing are important parts of your dental hygiene regimen, but they will not be enough to ensure proper oral health. Brushing your teeth and flossing removes the superficial layers of plaque, but cannot remove all of it.
The plaque that you are unable to reach with floss and a toothbrush will harden into tartar which will build on itself and eventually damage your teeth, causing tooth decay and gum disease. Tartar can only be removed by professional teeth cleaning, and if it goes untreated it will eventually lead to serious oral health issues including tooth loss.
Aging and Tooth Health
The fight against plaque and tartar is an even more serious one for older individuals. As you age, your mouth produces less saliva, allowing plaque and tartar to build up more quickly. You may find that the smell of your breath and the colour of your teeth change as you age, and your teeth and gums may become more sensitive. If this is the case, you should visit your dentist for professional treatment, to prevent tooth decay and loss.
Children and Dental Hygiene
Just as you should be on your guard against tooth decay as you age, children are susceptible to tooth decay because they often are unable or unaware of how they should brush their teeth thoroughly and floss. As soon as your child has his or her first tooth, you should begin modeling proper dental hygiene practices, including the regular use of a toothbrush.
Like adults, children should brush twice a day and floss daily, as well as visit the dentist for regular teeth cleanings at least twice a year. Learning dental care at a young age is crucial to preventing tooth decay and damage later in life.
Please contact our Ottawa general dentist today to learn more about dental hygiene and to schedule a consultation at Dentistry at Main, serving Ottawa, Stittsville, and Kanata, Ontario.
