Four Healthy Mouth Tips

With a new year now here, what better time is there to evaluate your oral health? Considering oral health has a direct impact on your overall health, your mouth acts as a window to the rest of your body and often detects early signs of systemic disease.

Here are four tips for a healthy mouth:

1. Visit the dentist regularly and consistently. According to the Canadian Dental Association, 75 percent of Canadians go to the dentist annually and they recommend that patients should visit dentists approximately twice a year to keep your teeth and gums strong and healthy. Regular cleanings and dental exams can help prevent gingivitis, periodontitis. It also decreases your chances of gum disease and helps to prevent future oral problems.
2. Eat well and Watch your sugar intake. It’s important to monitor or reduce sugar intake (i.e. carbonated beverages, fruit juices, coffee, and alcohol). These sugary snacks create an environment for halitosis (bad breath), as well as produce acid which breaks down the enamel on your teeth causing excessive plaque to build up; which if not taken care of will eat away at your teeth and gums. A balanced diet is also crucial to your teeth. Studies from the University of Manitoba found that not only do nutrients help create stronger teeth; some fatty acids (i.e. Omega 3, calcium, vitamin D) can lower the risk of gum disease.
3. Avoid Smoking. Most people are under the assumption that smoking only discolours your teeth, however cigarettes also contribute to gum disease and oral cancer as the nicotine and tar eats away at your gums and tissues, making your mouth more susceptible to bacteria and plaque that will infiltrate your teeth.
4. Brush and Floss Your Teeth and Tongue Consistently. To maintain a healthy smile, it’s best to brush your teeth and tongue a minimum of twice a day to remove any plaque and tartar buildup. Most toothpaste also contains fluoride which helps prevent tooth decay as well as freshens your breath. The Canadian Dental Association recommends you floss a minimum of once per day. Flossing is important as it acts as an interdental cleaner while helps clean the spaces where the toothbrush can’t reach as well as it removes the stuck on tartar and food particles that reside there.

What better time is there to implement a proper dental regime?

If you would like to learn more, please do not hesitate to give us a call or contact us to book an appointment.