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For many people, oral health is an out-of-sight, out-of-mind concept — that is, until something goes wrong, such as a tooth cavity or the early signs of gum disease. As we’re sure you’ve heard many times before, prevention is key when it comes to dental problems and oral infections, which is why it’s important to practice good oral hygiene habits at home in between general dentistry appointments. Continue reading for some key tips and tricks for establishing good oral hygiene habits at home, courtesy of our family dentists and dental hygienists at Trillium Dental in Ottawa.

START A ROUTINE

People tend to slack on their oral health practices at home if they do not have a set schedule, such as a solid morning and bedtime routine. If you find yourself forgetting to brush twice per day, or if flossing is an issue, try forming a step-by-step routine to follow every single day. Not only will this help keep you accountable with regard to your oral hygiene, but it will also help you structure your days so that self-care and your overall health is a top priority. Hate flossing because your gums are sensitive or sometimes bleed? Remember that the more you floss and brush, the better your gum health will be. Too tired to brush your teeth after a long night out with friends? Don’t let yourself crawl into bed until you’ve washed your face, brushed your teeth, and flossed that sugary plaque away.

USE A TIMER

More often than not, it isn’t a lack of brushing and flossing that is the issue — it’s the thoroughness. Many people give their teeth a quick brush in the morning and at night, flossing only between the teeth that are easy to reach and swishing with mouthwash in an attempt to compensate. The key to good oral hygiene is to be mindful about how you brush and floss, not necessarily how often (twice per day is enough), so be sure to take your time and do a good job. One way to do this is to set a timer on your phone for two minutes, brushing every nook and cranny until your teeth are squeaky clean. You can also find fun hourglasses and sand timers online, which can help you stay on track with how long you’re brushing in the morning and at night.

PRIORITIZE FLOSSING

We can all relate to the frustration that comes with flossing those hard-to-reach spaces between the molars, but it’s important not to let this stop you from using dental floss at least once per day. It’s nearly impossible to keep food from finding its way into the spaces between your teeth, which is the number one cause of cavities. Trust us, cavity fillings (yes, even the pretty white tooth fillings) are far more of a pain than making an effort to floss everyday, so do yourself a favor and prioritize flossing when you establish a morning and bedtime routine by doing it every night.

SCHEDULE A TEETH CLEANING APPOINTMENT AT TRILLIUM DENTAL IN OTTAWA

Of course, there is only so much you can do at home to maintain good oral health, which is why our dentists and dental hygienists highly recommend visiting our Ottawa dental clinic twice per year for a routine dental cleaning. Contact Trillium Dental in Ottawa to schedule an appointment, or book your dental exam with us online!

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If you read part one of this blog series about forming good oral hygiene habits at home, you already know how important it is to brush your teeth twice per day, floss daily, and incorporate a little mouthwash into your oral health routine. Of course, there are many other ways you can keep your teeth, gums, and oral tissue healthy between teeth cleanings at your local dental clinic, which we will continue outlining below. Continue reading for more tips and request a general dentistry appointment at Trillium Dental in Ottawa if you’re due for a professional dental cleaning!

LIMIT SUGARY FOODS AND DRINKS

You’ve probably heard that consuming excess sugar is bad for your teeth — especially if you neglect to brush and floss as much as you should. This is true for many reasons, the first being that sugary foods eat away at tooth enamel and dissolve essential minerals when they sit on the teeth for an extended period of time. Another reason is that the bacteria in plaque (the white substance that builds up on your teeth and gumline) converts the sugar into acid, which creates holes in your teeth otherwise known as cavities and leads to further tooth decay.

Even if you brush regularly, consuming too much sugar can accelerate plaque production, causing it to harden and turn to tartar, which must be removed by a dentist using a scaler. But don’t fret — tooth scaling is included in our general dentistry appointments at Trillium Dental, so we can get rid of it for you every six months. That being said, we recommend not ingesting a lot of sugary foods and drinks for many different health reasons aside from plaque production and tooth decay, such as the risk of obesity, diabetes, and high blood sugar.

QUIT SMOKING AND CHEWING TOBACCO

Another major life change you can make to stay on top of your oral hygiene is to quit smoking or eliminate your dependence on chewing tobacco. Not only are both linked to cancers of the oral cavity, oesophagus, lungs, pancreas, kidneys, and more, but they are also known as major contributors to plaque and tartar formation, tooth decay, and gum disease. Plus, people who smoke are more prone to tooth loss and jawbone deterioration — a painful condition that often requires the help of dental implants to stimulate regrowth.

Aside from the carcinogenic properties of cigarettes, the scary thing about them is the increased buildup of bacteria and chemicals they cause in the mouth. When inflamed or infected gums bleed, these contaminants can enter the bloodstream, causing a myriad of other problems such as blood clots and heart disease. To avoid these serious health risks, simply abstain from smoking or chewing tobacco and visit your dental office to see what treatments are available to you if you are recovering from a nicotine addiction that has negatively impacted your oral health.

VISIT YOUR DENTIST TWICE PER YEAR

At the end of the day, there is only so much you can do to maintain perfect oral hygiene at home. Even those that brush their teeth twice per day, floss every single day, use mouthwash, avoid sugary foods, and don’t smoke cigarettes or chew tobacco still have to go to the dentist at least twice per year for a professional teeth cleaning. Only then are they able to get rid of any plaque that has hardened into tartar and get X-rays in order to determine whether they are experiencing any underlying dental problems that may have flown under the radar.

Often, dental problems like gingivitis (early-stage gum disease), cavities, and tooth decay don’t have noticeable symptoms when they first start developing, which is why it’s important to schedule dental visits on a bi-annual basis. As dental professionals, we are the experts who have the tools, knowledge, and experience to diagnose these issues before they become much more serious. That being said, one of the best things you can do for your long-term oral hygiene is find a family dentist in your area that you like and stick with them so they can provide you with comprehensive dental care for years to come.

VISIT TRILLIUM DENTAL IN OTTAWA FOR PERSONALIZED DENTAL CARE

When you choose Trillium Dental for your general dentistry appointments, you get personalized dental care that caters to your specific needs, whether that means simple dental cleanings or specialized treatments such as gum lasering, dental implants, or complete smile makeovers. We do it all, from general dentistry appointments to cosmetic, restorative, and sedation dentistry procedures, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you are in need of more than just a professional dental cleaning.

We hope that this blog series has proven helpful for you as you continue to maintain good oral hygiene between dental appointments. And, if it’s time for your bi-annual dental check up, contact Trillium Dental in Ottawa today or request an appointment online!

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Oral hygiene is one of the most important aspects of both your dental health and the overall health of your body. As much as we don’t like to admit it, our mouths are full of hundreds of different species of germs and bacteria — both good and bad. You may have even heard the myth that dogs have cleaner mouths than humans do, but let’s get down to the facts before kissing our furry friends on the mouth.

About Mouth Bacteria

All humans have some ratio of good and bad mouth bacteria — which is normal as long as you have a healthy balance between the two and maintain good oral hygiene habits at home. When the bad mouth bacteria (Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, and other cavity-causing germs) builds up due to poor brushing and flossing habits, smoking cigarettes, eating lots of junk food, etc., this is when problems begin to arise. In fact, bad mouth bacteria is often the culprit of gum disease, irritation, and inflammation, as well as plaque and tartar buildup, cavities, tooth decay, and bad breath. Some of these consequences can even lead to more serious health risks such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and oral cancer.

On the other hand, “good” mouth bacteria is responsible for fighting off external germs that make their way into your mouth, aiding in digestion, combating bad breath, and keeping the bad bacteria under control. Commonly referred to as the mouth’s “checks and balances” system in the field of dentistry, this good mouth bacteria is essential for keeping everything in line so the mouth can perform normal bodily functions without succumbing to disease. As it turns out, the key to preventing this and maintaining a healthy balance of good and bad mouth bacteria is to establish good oral hygiene habits — and stick to them.

At Trillium Dental in Ottawa, our dentists and dental hygienists care about each and every one of our patients and regularly emphasize the importance of good oral health. Since we usually only see our patients during their bi-annual general dentistry appointments for professional teeth cleanings or when they visit our dental clinic for a cosmetic, restorative, or sedation dentistry procedure, we want to make sure that you are doing everything you can to keep your mouth healthy once you leave our dental office. That being said, here are some tips for staying on top of your oral hygiene at home!

Rush Your Teeth Twice Per Day

Obviously, the first step toward maintaining good oral hygiene at home is brushing your teeth at least twice per day — and doing so thoroughly. Our dentists recommend brushing your teeth for a minimum of two minutes so that every nook and cranny is reached and that the toothpaste has enough time to fully do its job. If you have a hard time remembering to brush this long, consider setting a timer on your phone or buying a cheap little hourglass that runs out after two minutes. And, if the actual act of brushing is the problem, invest in an electric toothbrush to take some of the work out of the process. If you aren’t sure which kind to buy, feel free to give Trillium Dental a call or visit our dental clinic for a recommendation about the best electric toothbrush for you.

Floss Daily

Hand in hand with remembering to brush your teeth twice per day is making a point to use dental floss every day as well. No matter how thoroughly you brush your teeth, the reality is that your toothbrush won’t be able to eliminate all the food buildup, plaque, and bacteria in between your teeth. This is where flossing comes in — it is essential to fully clean your teeth, prevent cavities, and reduce your risk of developing gum disease. However, if your gums bleed, swell, or cause you any pain when you floss, this could be a sign of a gum infection or gingivitis (early-stage gum disease), which should be checked out by your local dentist as soon as possible.

Use Mouthwash

Although mouthwash isn’t always required for preventing cavities and keeping your teeth and gums healthy, it is a great extra step to take if you want to ensure that your mouth isn’t being overcome with bad bacteria. Simply swish a capful in your mouth after brushing and flossing to rinse out any lingering bacteria, which will be killed off as the liquid cleanses your teeth, gumline, and the rest of the oral cavity.

Schedule A Teeth Cleaning Appointment At Trillium Dental In Ottawa

Now that you know a few basic tips for staying on top of your oral hygiene at home, it’s time to put these suggestions to practice by establishing an oral health care routine that works for you. Whether that means investing in an electric toothbrush, trying mouthwash for the first time, or reminding yourself to floss every single day, every change you make to improve your oral health is worth it in both the short and long-term.

Interested in learning more about how you can improve your oral health and keep your mouth free of bad bacteria? Continue to part two of this blog series for more advice about how to maintain good oral hygiene between dental cleanings, and request a dental cleaning at Trillium Dental in Ottawa today!