Dental Care Basics

Brush your teeth after every meal. Floss at least once daily. Visit your dentist in Waterloo Ontario twice every year. Watch your diet. You’ve probably heard this advice many times.

Not taking care of your oral health can result in a myriad of dental issues: cavities, gum disease, bad breath, sensitivity, and even tooth loss. But luckily for you, all these problems are preventable – and don’t require you to be an expert to take care of. Adopting good habits like flossing, brushing, healthy diet, and regular checks ups are all you need to uphold your dental health. 

This article will highlight some of the dental care basics that you need to know. However, if you still have some concerns or questions about ways to keep your teeth healthy, then it's best to consult with dentist Waterloo Ontario for expert insights. But before we do that, let’s look at the causes of dental problems: 

Causes of dental and oral diseases

  • Poor brushing habits

  • Diabetes

  • Smoking

  • Frequent snacking on sugary drinks and foods

  • Heartburn or acid reflux

  • Infections like HIV/AIDS
    Genetics or family history

  • Frequent vomiting because of acid

  • Use of medications that lower the amount of saliva in the mouth

Dental care tips

Brush your teeth before bedtime

If you are like many people, you tend to forget about brushing your teeth before bedtime. However, doing this can lead to severe dental health problems. When you do not clean, you allow plaque build-up, and consequently, gum disease and tooth decay. But cleaning before you sleep eliminates plaque and germs that accumulate during the day, preventing dental problems from happening. If you are prone to gum disease and cavities, your dentist may recommend that you brush after dinner and right before you sleep. 

Brush the right way

Many of us assume that we know how to brush simply because we’ve been doing it for years. But that’s not always the case. Dentists recommend setting a 2-minute timer for brushing. Then you should move the toothbrush (soft-bristled) gently, and in circular motions over your teeth to get rid of plaque. Ensure you clean all surfaces, including the molars.

Clean your tongue

It is easy to forget the tongue. An unclean tongue harbors germs and bacteria and can also cause bad breath. So, take the time to clean your tongue each time you’re brushing.

Other cleaning tips

In addition to the tips mentioned above, you should also floss, use fluoride toothpaste, and gargle mouthwash. Drinking more water and switching to a healthier diet can also be a great way to maintain healthy teeth. You should also be seeing a hygienist for a cleaning appointment and dentist checkup at least twice a year.

Types of dental and oral disease

When you do not clean as advised or if you skip your regular dental appointments, you may end up having one or more of these issues: 

  • Cavities

  • Gum disease (gingivitis)

  • Periodontitis

  • Sensitive teeth

  • Oral cancer

Most of these issues are diagnosed during a dental exam. During your appointment, your dentist will examine your throat, mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks, neck, and jaw for any problems, and recommend an appropriate treatment.

Conclusion 

Prevention is always better than having to treat an existing issue. And with these tips, you should be able to keep your oral health at an optimal state all year long.

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