In this day and age there are many food and drink products that are increasingly harmful to our oral health. Studies have shown that Soda and Energy Drinks are incredibly harmful to our teeth and can increase the amount of tooth decay if consumed on a regular basis. It may seem simple, but there are a few basics to preventing tooth decay that many people forget to do on a daily basis.
Brush your teeth at least TWICE daily.
Everyone has grown up with constant reminders to brush your teeth, once in the morning and once before bedtime, yet our lives can be so busy that we fall into bed without remembering that little toothbrush! Brushing your teeth before going to bed helps in preventing decay. There are many different toothbrushes available today. The traditional toothbrush has had many improvements in bristles and shapes that allow for easier access to the hard-to-clean spots. The newer battery-operated toothbrushes can be very effective in cleaning if they are used correctly. For those who need a refresher course on tooth brushing, this is a great video from Colgate that shows the correct tooth brushing techniques. http://www.colgateprofessional.ca/patienteducation/How-to-Brush/video
Floss your teeth at least ONCE daily.
Another way of preventing decay is to floss daily. Gum disease can lead to serious health problems if allowed to exist without a proper dental cleaning and treatment. Throughout the day of eating and drinking, small pieces of food or bacteria can clamp onto your teeth. While tooth brushes clean the sides of the teeth that are visible, flossing is a necessary tool to pulling and scraping that bacteria and food off of the interproximal, or non-visible, surfaces of the teeth. The interproximal surfaces of the teeth are the MOST COMMON surfaces to have decay, simply due to the fact that they are the hardest part of the tooth to keep completely clean.
Regular Dental Cleaning and Exam
Regular dental cleaning and check ups are the best ways to prevent tooth decay. The dental office has special tools and cleaning materials that allow them to fully clean your teeth. Bacteria, plaque, or calculus can build up in between teeth or along the gumline over time. These buildups must be removed to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. A regular cleaning and exam can also catch a very small cavity before it becomes large, painful, or causes your tooth nerve to become infected. These small cavities are typically going to be less costly in comparison to the larger cavities, especially if the decay enters your tooth’s nerve.
With all the new food and beverage products in today’s market, it is even more important to take care of your oral health. Simple home care, check ups and regular dental cleanings are the best and easiest ways of preventing decay or other oral health problems. Contact Foothills Dental Centre at (870)
865-7673. Trusted and proudly serving
Hinton, Edson, Jasper, Grande Cashe, Spruce Grove, Whitecourt and the Drayton
Valley.