When you hear the word “spring cleaning,” you probably think of mopping your kitchen floor, scrubbing your shower tiles or wiping dust off your dirty windows. But you know what you should also think about? Your teeth.
Spring cleaning isn’t just something that you can do to refresh your home. You can do it with your smile, too!
How can you do it? Start with these tips.
1. Replace Your Toothbrush
Take a look at your toothbrush. Are the bristles bent and frayed? Are they getting rough? Have they faded in colour? These are all signs that you should take your toothbrush out of the holder and toss it in the trash.
You shouldn’t use a worn-down toothbrush. It won’t clean your teeth effectively. Replace your toothbrush every three to four months to make sure that you’re getting the best results whenever you’re brushing.
2. Upgrade Your Brush
You don’t have to get another manual toothbrush. You could upgrade to an electric one this spring. A high-quality electric toothbrush can help you be more consistent with your brushing pressure and technique. It’s a great choice if you’re having trouble with plaque build-up, stains and gum sensitivity.
The same replacement rule applies to electric toothbrushes. You should replace the head of your electric brush every three to four months.
3. Clean the Holder
The toothbrush holder or cup where you’re storing your toothbrush needs to be cleaned regularly. Don’t let it become a bacterial breeding ground. You can sanitize it by washing it with dish soap and warm water or running it through your dishwasher.
4. Check the Expiration Dates
Did you know that some of your dental hygiene products have expiry dates? Your toothpaste and mouthwash have expiry dates that you should pay attention to. You don’t want to use expired products because their ingredients can lose their effectiveness.
5. Upgrade Your Mouthwash
You may not realize that there are two types of mouthwash: cosmetic mouthwash and therapeutic mouthwash. Cosmetic mouthwash temporarily remedies bad breath. Therapeutic mouthwash addresses your breath, along with other dental health problems like plaque build-up, tooth decay and gingivitis. If you want to give your dental hygiene a boost, you should stock your medicine cabinet with therapeutic mouthwash.
How can you tell that it’s therapeutic? Inspect the product’s label. If it only talks about bad breath and minty flavouring, then the mouthwash is likely cosmetic.
These are some signs that you’re dealing with a therapeutic product:
- It contains Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC). This is an antimicrobial agent that’s effective for tooth decay, gingivitis and bleeding gums.
- It contains fluoride. Fluoride is often used in dental products to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent decay. If you’ve had a problem with cavities in the past, you should be looking for this ingredient.
- It’s alcohol-free. Mouthwash with alcohol often causes an unpleasant burning sensation and dry mouth. Dry mouth can increase your risk of tooth decay, and it can cause bad breath — that’s right, it can sabotage the reason why you use mouthwash in the first place.
When in doubt, ask your dentist what mouthwash they recommend. You can be sure that you’re using the best products for your teeth when they have an expert’s seal of approval.
6. Upgrade Your Floss
Flossing is an essential step in your dental care routine. If you don’t love using standard string floss, you should take this opportunity to upgrade to a strong alternative like floss picks or tape floss. Or, if you really want to branch out, you could get a water flosser to help you get into all of the nooks and crannies between your teeth.
Credit: Matthew Henry via Burst
7. Make an Appointment
When is the last time that you went to the dentist for a cleaning? If it’s been longer than six months, you’re likely due for another appointment. Dentistry on 7th can help! Contact our Hamilton dental care office to book your next visit so that we can check on the state of your teeth and give them a thorough cleaning.
Routine appointments will do more than keep your smile looking fresh and clean. They give your dentist an opportunity to catch problems like plaque build-up and cavities early on. The sooner you catch these problems, the better.
8. Think about Teeth Whitening
This is also a great time to look into teeth whitening! Our dentists offer chemical teeth whitening treatments so that you can finally get that bright smile that you’ve been dreaming about. The procedure will get rid of stubborn stains leftover from coffee, wine, smoking and other culprits of discolouration.
Why not try DIY teeth whitening? There are lots of over-the-counter teeth whitening products that you can use, but it’s not the best way to get a brilliant smile. These products often give uneven, temporary results. When you get your teeth whitened professionally, you’re guaranteed to get excellent results that last much longer.
There are other cosmetic dentistry options that can help you get the bright smile that you’re hoping for. If you’re considering porcelain veneers, crowns or any other cosmetic procedure, you should make an appointment with us.
9. Teeth Straightening
Another change that you might be interested in is straightening your teeth. If you have crooked or uneven teeth, you could opt for the cosmetic treatment Invisalign to improve your smile.
What is Invisalign? It’s an orthodontic tool that helps straighten your teeth. It’s similar to having braces, but it’s much more understated and convenient.
If you’ve been nervous about getting orthodontic work done because you don’t want to look like a teenager when you’re leading an important business meeting or filling out a dating profile, then Invisalign is perfect for you. No one will notice that you’re wearing it at first glance. And you don’t have to worry about other annoyances that come with braces, like getting half of your lunch stuck in the brackets.
If you want to try Invisalign this year, click the link to learn more details and book a consultation with us.
Move all of these “chores” to the top of your to-do list this spring. They will help you improve your dental care routine and refresh your smile by the time that summer arrives.