Dental Safety Tips
You only get one set of pearly whites to last a lifetime. Day in and day out, these trusty chompers perform flawlessly without complaint. Yet, all of the daily stress, wear, pressure and exposure to acidic foods can take its toll.
In this guide, Dr AJ Salman and his team at Northmed Dental explore some simple, yet effective, dental safety tips you can follow to take care of your teeth as well as they take care of you.
Have more questions about what you can do to preserve your teeth as you age? Don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team is always eager and excited to help patients and prospective patients alike learn more about how they can take back control of their oral health and well-being.
Dental Safety Tips – Good Oral Hygiene
Keeping and maintaining healthy teeth takes a lifetime of good behaviour. Luckily, the majority of steps you can take are simple, affordable and easy to incorporate into your daily routine.
The Right Way to Brush
Most of us remember to brush our teeth. But did you know most of us aren’t doing a great job at it? Be sure to take your time, evenly moving the brush in a gentle but firm circular motion that will help create the right kind of friction to remove plaque before it hardens. Don’t forget those teeth in the back!
Never Go to Bed Without Brushing
We all know the standard recommendation of brushing a minimum of twice daily and/or after meals. Making nighttime brushing part of your basic routine will ensure you go to bed without the bacteria from the day’s activities festering overnight.
Don’t Forget About Your Tongue
The tongue is a major contributor of bacteria, odour, and even plaque. When you’re done brushing your teeth, give your tongue a quick brush as well.
Flossing is Important
Similar to brushing, flossing should be given the same amount of attention and care. Take it slow, get into every nook, and don’t miss any teeth.
Regular Dental Visits
These visits should be scheduled at least twice yearly or with the emergence of any symptoms. More than just a follow up for professional dental cleaning, these appointments periodically check for early signs of any conditions that could negatively impact your teeth, oral cavity, gums, head and neck.
Be Mindful of What You Bite
We all enjoy a wide range of foods, some of which are easier on the old pearly whites than others. Be mindful of not biting down on hard sweets or other foods that could crack, break or chip your teeth. Similarly, bad habits such as tearing open packets with your teeth, or chewing on pens and pencils, can wear down teeth over time.
Mouth Guard Protection
If you happen to participate in sports or activities where physical impact is a possibility, consider wearing a mouthguard.
By following the tips in this guide, you too can enjoy your teeth for decades to come. Have questions? Interested in setting up an appointment? Reach out today! We’re always excited to talk about dentistry and in learning more about how we can help our patients get the smile they deserve.
