At Dentistry on 7th, we’ve been serving our community of satisfied clients for several years. We offer a variety of services to people of all ages, including kids, adults, and the elderly. Our staff is highly qualified, experienced, and passionate about helping our clients achieve good oral hygiene.
With a stellar reputation as a quality dentist in Hamilton we understand that some people face challenges in maintaining their oral health when they spend more days at home. Maintaining good oral hygiene is all about following healthy practices. And it’s easy to slip into some bad habits when you’re spending more time at home. However, some tips can help you maintain good oral hygiene in this situation.
#1 Keep Brushing
If you’re working more hours from home and your schedule is not what it used to be, then you may forget to brush your teeth regularly. Brushing helps clean away the bacteria in your mouth. If you don’t brush your teeth every day, then you may notice a thin yellow film form on your teeth called plaque.
If plaque isn’t cleaned, then it can harden into tartar. Also known as calculus, this can be harder to remove at home. However, our team at Dentistry on 7th can remove tartar before it causes further problems.
Brush your teeth when you wake up, even if your day starts later than normal, and brush your teeth right before bed, even if you go to bed later than usual. It’s important to clean your mouth at night, otherwise, the leftover food may damage your teeth overnight. Remember to wait at least 30 minutes after consuming food to brush your teeth or the acid in the food may damage your tooth enamel.
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush your teeth
- The brush head should be the right size for your mouth
- Position the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle at the gum line
- Use a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste
- Brush with a gentle circular motion
- Massage your teeth rather than attack them
- Brush for at least two minutes in total
- Clean one area of your mouth before moving on to another
- Don’t forget to clean the gum line and the inside of your teeth
- Replace your toothbrush every three to four months for effective cleaning
By brushing your teeth regularly, you also set a good example for your children. As the leading pediatric dentist in Hamilton, we know that children are more susceptible to oral hygiene issues for a variety of reasons. Like yourself, your kids should be brushing their teeth regularly, and visiting Dentistry on 7th periodically to make sure that their oral care in on track.
At Dentistry on 7th, we also monitor our younger clients for orthodontic issues. If your child has a misaligned jaw or bite, then they may suffer from suffer from pain in their mouth, jaw, neck, or head. Orthodontic issues can also make it difficult to speak, chew, and swallow. At Dentistry on 7th, we take care to reduce dental anxiety in your kids by fostering a relaxed, positive environment for our youngest patients, so if your kid needs orthodontic solutions, you can rest easy – they’re in great hands!
While solutions for orthodontic problems can help at any age, they’re most effective in children because their jaws are still expanding and can be positively influenced to grow into the correct shape. For young clients with orthodontic issues, orthodontic braces can be an excellent option. Meanwhile, many clients prefer clear aligner options at Dentistry on 7th such as Invisalign to improve their orthodontic health. Unlike metal brackets, clear aligners look nearly invisible and can easily be taken on and off when needed.
#2 Don’t Forget to Floss
Experts recommend that you floss once a day before bedtime to make sure that your mouth is clean. Flossing is important because it removes food from hard-to-reach parts of your mouth. For example, good debris that contains sugar and acids may be caught in tight spaces between your teeth. Such spaces may not be accessible by a toothbrush. If these spaces aren’t cleaned, then plaque or tartar may form between your teeth, resulting in periodontal disease.
It can also affect your smile in a variety of ways. Not only does plaque in the corners of your teeth look unsightly, but it may increase the gap between your teeth and cause gum recession. Certain problems caused by tartar may only be fixed by cosmetic dentistry.
Use the correct technique while flossing for the best results. Be gentle but don’t be afraid to touch and clean your gums. If you haven’t flossed in a long time, then your gums may feel sore or bleed. Don’t worry if this happens. Some bleeding is normal if your gums aren’t used to flossing. However, the bleeding should stop in a few days. If your gums bleed every time you floss for ten days, then come visit Dentistry on 7th. You may need a dental cleaning.
#3 Eat Right
Many people confess to snacking out of boredom when they’re spending more time at home. While there’s no harm in snacking, the wrong foods can harm your oral health. Avoid consuming candy, potato chips, chocolate bars and soft drinks. The sugar or starch content of these foods can damage your teeth. Likewise, the acid in soft drinks can cause serious problems. Some dentists have found that the effects of soft drinks are like the effects of methamphetamine or crack on teeth.
- Water: Not only does water wash away leftover food but it helps remineralize your teeth.
- Dairy Products: Foods such as cheese and milk help strengthen your teeth.
- Root Vegetables: Aside from potatoes, most root vegetables are excellent for your oral health.
- Leafy Greens: Foods such as lettuce, spinach, kale and more are full of nutrients and help fortify your teeth.
- Fruits: Eat fruits such as apples, strawberries, and kiwis to strengthen your teeth.
While the acid in fruits such as oranges can damage your teeth, such foods are loaded with vitamin C and can strengthen your immune system and help your body fight illnesses. You can either eat other fruits loaded with vitamin C such as Cantaloupe to avoid damaging your teeth or simply rinse your mouth with water after eating an orange. Remember to wait 30 minutes after this before brushing your teeth or the leftover acid may cause further damage.
Finally, minimize the consumption of vices such as tobacco and red wine if you’re spending more time at home. Smoking is terrible for your oral hygiene while red wine can stain your teeth. While it’s easy to adopt some ill-advised habits when spending more time at home, with a little discipline, you can maintain your oral health.