Dental health is a lot like exercise. Visiting your local dentist is similar to going to the gym to exercise with a personal trainer. Your qualified, expert personal trainer will help walk you through the basics of a routine and give you a solid foundation to build on, but most of the progress you’ll see comes from your regular habits such as exercise and diet.

Taking care of your teeth is no different than taking care of your body. You may go months without checking in and ignoring your dental health (please don’t do this), show up to your appointment at Uptown Dental in Waterloo, and expect our qualified dentists to save the day. While Dr. Samra would be happy to help, he would tell you that it's important you help yourself and your teeth, every day!

Here are 6 ways that Dr. Samra, Kitchener-Waterloo’s award winning dentist, recommends you care for your pearly whites in between visits at KWC Dental:

1. Brush. Brush. Not Once, But TWICE

This one is simple - right? Well, as simple as this advice might seem, it's easy to ignore. Brushing your teeth is the single most effective way to maintain your dental hygiene and overall mouth health! Dr. Samra from KWC Dental has served the region for decades now, and has seen thousands of patients - that is a LOT of teeth. The single question that is asked to every patient is:

“How often do you brush?”

To which most respond:

“I know I should brush twice.. BUT.. I don’t”

This small habit takes no more than 2 to 5 minutes of your day, and can seriously improve your dental health. Get in the habit of brushing your teeth first thing in the morning, and before you go to bed.

The most effective way to brush your teeth is to use the brush at different angles to remove build-up. Some examples would be to use a combination of short, tooth-wide front and back strokes, circular motions, tilting the brush vertically to brush the back of the front teeth etc.

However it is you prefer to brush, make sure you do it twice a day!

2. Brush Your Tongue!

This tip is absolutely crucial for dental patients who might be suffering from bad breath, tooth decay and periodontal disease. Your tongue is a sponge for all sorts of bacteria that enters your mouth and hangs out there, developing and growing, while you sleep. The simple way to remove the bacteria is to brush your tongue!

Some dentists recommend using a tongue cleaning device, which may work for some patients, but at KWC Dental, we like to keep things simple and easy for our patients. Use the toothbrush you already have and get to work! Simply apply a bit of toothpaste to your brush and gently brush against your tongue in a scraping-like motion. Rinse thoroughly and enjoy fresher breath throughout the day and a (mostly) bacteria-free, healthy mouth!

3. Regular Toothbrush Replacement

An underrated tip but an important one nonetheless. Dr. Samra, our lead dentist in Kitchener-Waterloo, has always recommended that patients replace their toothbrushes regularly. A toothbrush is a tool, and like all tools, can lose effectiveness overtime. Toothbrushes specifically can pick up bacteria and bristles can harden which can make brushing one’s teeth uncomfortable and less effective at cleaning the mouth.

If you need a new toothbrush, drop by our KWC Dental locations; Uptown Dental in Waterloo, Bridgeport Dental in Kitchener, or Franklin Dental in Cambridge! Our reception staff will be happy to help you by providing you a complimentary toothbrush. Let them know the blogs sent you!

4. Floss Like a Boss!

Our mouths are full of tiny spaces and little crevices. Unfortunately, food loves getting stuck between our teeth, which may not always get removed during the twice-a-day brushing process. Food that sits between our teeth can cause bacteria build up and lead to tooth decay, gingivitis, and a host of other terrible diseases. Thankfully, a little dental floss can go a long way in preserving our dental health!

Oral hygiene can easily be maintained with flossing. Grab a string of dental floss and position it at the top of the space between your teeth, gently and slowly pull the floss back and forth to physically remove any plaque that may be calling your mouth home. Rinse your mouth thoroughly before and after flossing!

5. Diet. Diet. Diet.

We are going to have to revisit the personal trainer analogy for this one. In the fitness world, the saying “abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym” is absolutely true! The point being, yes, the visits to the gym/dentist matter, but how you treat your body/teeth during the rest of the days of the week matters just as much. Your mouth is the entry point for all food and liquid that you ingest. The quality of the food you eat and drink can have a serious impact on your dental health.

While it may be tempting to drink coffee and soda, or snack on sugary foods throughout the day, try your best to limit your intake because of the negative effects your consumption can have on your teeth and overall oral health. If you can’t help but have a coffee, order an iced coffee on your next Tim Hortons trip and be sure to get a straw. Drinking through a straw will prevent staining on your teeth, which can over time, lead to tooth decay as well.

6. Trust The Pros!

Sometimes, it's best to leave things to the professionals. While this list of tips and tricks can and will help you and your teeth, our talented team of dentists and hygienists would be glad to assist, treat and consult you. Head over to our “Request an Appointment Page” and choose between our three convenient locations in Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo. We’ll be happy to serve you at KWC Dental.