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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!

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Welcome back to the Trillium Dental blog! If you read part one of this blog series, you already know how regular dental cleanings can greatly reduce your risk of developing cavities, gingivitis, and moderate- to late-stage periodontal disease due to tartar buildup along the gum line. As it turns out, there are many other benefits of professional teeth cleanings, which we will continue to discuss throughout this post. Here are a couple more reasons why teeth cleanings are critical for good oral health.

EARLY DETECTION AND TREATMENT

During a professional dental cleaning, your dental hygienist will scope out your teeth, gums, and surrounding tissue for underlying issues that may not have been brought to your attention yet. The early signs of many oral health conditions, like developing cavities or mildly receding gums, tend to go unnoticed until your dentist takes a closer look during a hygiene visit. Other, more serious oral health conditions, such as jaw bone deterioration, are detected via X-rays, and it’s tools like these that allow dentists to discover the warning signs early-on.

As mentioned in our previous post, gingivitis, or early-stage gum disease, can be treated and even reversed if it is caught early enough by a dentist or dental hygienist. Given that gingivitis begins when something is irritating your gums (like plaque and tartar), the severity of gum disease is highly contingent on your oral hygiene habits and how often you visit the dentist for professional teeth cleanings. The same goes for cavities, bone deterioration, broken fillings, or any other oral health issue; early detection and treatment of these conditions greatly increases your chances of effectively remedying, or even reversing, the damage done to your gums and teeth.

PREVENTATIVE MEASURES

In addition to detecting oral health issues early on and providing the appropriate treatment, your dental hygienist will also take preventative measures to protect your teeth and gums. One of the most common preventative methods used today is the application of dental fluoride, which helps protect your teeth from cavities for the first few months between professional teeth cleanings. Here in Ottawa, this mineral is found in our water and food, which also gives us a small boost of oral protection. However, this is not nearly enough to rely on, and it is still highly recommended to have fluoride applied to your teeth by a dental hygienist during a hygiene visit.

Much like an annual doctor’s appointment, regular dental appointments also provide the opportunity for you to get professional advice about how to improve your oral hygiene habits moving forward. Whether this means adjusting to a more frequent flossing schedule or switching to a brand of toothpaste that better suits your needs, our dentists and dental hygienists at Trillium Dental are always happy to provide our insight and guidance.

We understand that prevention is far easier and less expensive than most treatments for oral health conditions, so feel free to ask us how you can better protect and care for your teeth and gums at home. Our dentists and dental hygienists are always available to help you and address any concerns you might have, as this could mean the difference between a dangerous, worsening oral health condition and early detection and treatment by a dentist you trust.

HAVE YOUR TEETH CLEANED AT TRILLIUM DENTAL

All things said and done, regular dental appointments are one of the best ways to protect your teeth in the long run. From removing tartar and reducing your risk of developing gum disease to providing preventative measures, early detection, and treatment for oral health conditions, there are many reasons why professional teeth cleanings are critical for good oral health. It all comes down to prioritizing the health of your mouth and entire body, and taking the steps necessary to ensure that you are receiving the proper dental care.

If it’s been a while since your last hygiene visit, or you think you may be experiencing issues with your teeth or gums, schedule an appointment with Trillium Dental in Ottawa today! Our dentists and dental hygienists would be happy to clean your teeth and provide you with all the resources you need to maintain your oral health.

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At Trillium Dental in Ottawa, we strongly advocate for the importance of routine dental cleanings at your local dental office. Professional dental care is a major component of good oral health. We recommend that our patients visit us at least twice per year for a thorough teeth cleaning as well as staying up-to-date with dental X-rays. Our dentists and dental hygienists care about the oral health of our patients, so we put together a list of reasons why dental cleanings are important for your overall health in high hopes that you will continue with regular maintenance visits at one of our convenient locations. Here’s how it works!

PLAQUE AND TARTAR REMOVAL

Plaque is a sticky, bacteria-filled deposit that naturally builds up along your gum line as you eat, drink, and go about your daily life. Plaque and tartar have the potential to eat away at your tooth enamel and create cavities if it isn’t removed via regular brushing and flossing. Given that plaque is nearly invisible, even those with impeccable oral hygiene habits have a hard time eliminating all of it when they brush and floss their teeth. Over time, this plaque buildup turns to tartar — a calcified version that requires professional removal with the appropriate dental tools and techniques. This is where teeth cleanings at your dental office come in.

During a professional teeth cleaning, your dental hygienist will perform tooth scaling or use the Cavitron® to clean beneath your gums before moving on to polishing, flossing, and taking dental X-rays (if necessary). Tooth scaling is the process of using instruments (scalers) to gently scrape the plaque and tartar buildup from along your gum line. Since tartar removal requires the work of an experienced hygienist, it is critical that you schedule a dental cleaning at your dental office at least twice per year. This way there is a far less risk of developing cavities and suffering from other painful consequences of poor oral health.

REDUCED RISK OF GINGIVITIS AND GUM DISEASE

In addition to developing cavities as a result of plaque and tartar buildup, neglecting to have your teeth cleaned at your dental clinic twice per year also puts you at a greater risk of developing gingivitis and moderate- to late-stage gum disease. Persistent tartar buildup along the gum line is one of the main causes of gum disease. As the bacteria binds and hardens to your teeth, the surrounding gums can become inflamed and irritated. This can cause periodontal pockets below the gumline, where bacteria can grow and fester (creating deeper and more extensive pocketing and eventually lead to bone loss).

People with gingivitis, or early-stage gum disease, will notice their gums swelling, bleeding, and receding. Luckily, gingivitis can be preventable with good oral health practices at home and regular dental cleanings. In some cases, gingivitis can be reversed if treated soon enough by your dentist. If left unaddressed, however, gingivitis can evolve into more severe cases of periodontal disease; an oral condition that can lead to bone loss, gum recession and tooth extraction. When significant portions of tooth structure are compromised, decayed, or lost, crowns, dentures and implants are the best option for replacement. People who suffer from gum disease also put themselves at a higher risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and stroke than those who regularly have their teeth cleaned at the dentist, as bacteria can easily enter the bloodstream through bleeding gums.

To avoid developing gingivitis or periodontal disease, simply maintain good oral hygiene habits, like brushing and flossing at least twice per day, refraining from smoking cigarettes, and making sure to visit your dentist on a biannual basis for professional dental cleanings. Trust us — neglecting to schedule teeth cleanings at the dentist just isn’t worth the pain of gum disease or putting your life at risk.

SCHEDULE A TEETH CLEANING WITH TRILLIUM DENTAL

We hope this post has proven helpful for understanding why dental cleanings are important for good oral health, and that you will stay tuned for part two of this blog series in coming weeks. There are many other benefits of having your teeth professionally cleaned at the dentist, which we are eager to share with you. At Trillium Dental, your oral health is our highest priority, and we look forward to seeing you at our dental office for a routine teeth cleaning. If your pearly whites are in need of a professional cleaning, schedule an appointment with us today!

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