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The new year is almost here and with it, we often think of new beginnings. What a great time to add a new habit to your oral health routine! Here are a few things you can easily add to your routine that not only improve your oral health by decreasing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease, but also reduce the amount of inflammation in your body. When teeth are not properly cleaned and cared for, plaque left in and under your gums can cause your body to produce an inflammatory response. Which of these new habits will you add to your routine this month to help improve your oral health and reduce inflammation?

​1. Brushing

If you currently are brushing every morning, I suggest adding night time brushing into your routine. Night time brushing is the most important time to brush your teeth because when you are sleeping you have less saliva in your mouth to wash away the bacteria on your teeth that cause decay, gum disease, and halitosis.

Still using a manual toothbrush? You may consider using a power toothbrush. Power brushes give you many more strokes per minute, therefore, increasing the efficiency of plaque removal.

2. Cleaning between your teeth

If you are not currently using something to clean between your teeth, consider finding a tool you can incorporate into your daily routine.

There are more options than floss if you finding flossing difficult, make sure your hygienist knows so they can recommend other useful options for you such as a waterpik. Ask your hygienist to give some suggestions of what will work well for you.

3. Oral rinses

You may want to add a therapeutic mouth rinse. If you suffer from dry mouth or oral irritation from alcohol based mouthwashes, consider a brand of mouthwash that contains no alcohol. The effects of the mouthwash to keep your teeth clean is the same!

4. Tongue cleaning

This is a great addition to your daily routine that will decrease the amount of bacteria in your mouth and freshen your breath. Use a gentle tongue scraper or just use your toothbrush!

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5. Regular dental hygiene visits

If you currently are not currently scheduled to visit a dental hygienist on a regular basis, I highly recommend booking yourself a new client exam and cleaning. Routine cleanings are different for everyone, some people need to be seen every 6 months to a year, while others need to be seen more often in order to treat or prevent disease. Your dentist can help you decide what will work best for you.

Start your healthy new habits for the new year by scheduling your next appointment!

The holiday seasons are full of food, events, and sweets. Even when you are enjoying the festivities, it is important to keep your dental health in mind. To maintain healthy oral hygiene and avoid unwanted dental problems, consider following these holiday oral health tips:

• Eat sugary food in moderation, and limit acidic drinks
• Avoid continual snacking on sweets. Did you know that it is less harmful for your teeth to eat the same amount of sugary snacks in one sitting as opposed to continual snacking over a longer period of time?
• Maintain your daily dental routine, even when you are traveling to visit family
• Take time to de-stress during the busy holiday season. Stress can negatively affect your dental health, contributing to teeth grinding or dry mouth, or interfering with your regular health routine and diet.

Make dental care a priority, even during the busy holiday season

No matter how busy we get, it is essential to properly brush and floss at least twice each day. Many people find it easier to brush and floss in the morning but it is recommended to brush and floss before you go to bed as well. Be sure to pack your toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss for your holiday travels, and don’t forget to maintain your children’s dental care routine too.

Care for your teeth after eating

It is a good idea to brush after eating, but that is not always possible. With so many reasons to celebrate with food during the holidays, you might not always be able brush after a meal or snack. If that is the case, use mouthwash to remove food particles and bacteria and freshen your breath. If you don’t have your toothbrush or mouthwash, rinse thoroughly with water after eating, and then brush as soon as you get home.

Never use your teeth as present-openers

Using your teeth to open bottles, packages or snap ribbons is never a good idea! With time, this will weaken the enamel and might damage the edges of your teeth which may further lead to cracking and breakage, and an expensive cosmetic repair job.

Use the holidays as a motivation to quit smoking

If you smoke, the holiday season is a great time to stop. There are many health benefits of quitting smoking, and your oral health is just one example. You will have healthy teeth, stronger gums, and a brighter smile for all of your holiday events and photos.

Make an appointment with your dentist

Healthy eating and oral care at home can be a good start to dental health. However, the holiday season and the end of the year is a good time to visit the dentist. An exam will also let your dentist know if you need treatment for any underlying conditions.

During this season, everyone in your family will be at home for the holidays. It is the ideal time to make dental appointments for your entire family. This way, everyone can start the new year with a perfect smile, and an excellent oral health!

5 Tips for oral health during pregnancy

During pregnancy, a woman has many things to think about. Pregnant women should not overlook their dental health; both for themselves and for their babies. While most routine dental treatments are safe during pregnancy, certain medications and treatments should be avoided in the first three months, so let your dentist know you if you are expecting.

1. Care for your teeth during morning sickness: Some women experience morning sickness during pregnancy, which may include vomiting or acid reflux. The acid from vomiting or reflux creates a significant risk of tooth erosion, but the risk can be mitigated in several ways. Following an episode of morning sickness, be sure to brush your teeth thoroughly. If you are not at home and don’t have your toothbrush, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water as soon as possible or chew some sugar-free gum, and then brush when you get home.

2. Ensure tooth and gum health: Gum disease can cause damage not only to your health, but also your baby’s. Studies have linked poor maternal dental health to premature birth and low birth weight in babies. In addition, healthy gums can reduce the transfer of bacteria to your baby.

3. Watch for oral health changes: Pregnancy-related hormonal changes can cause your body to change in may ways. Keep an eye out for warning signs of gum disease include bad breath, swollen, red, or bleeding gums. If you have any of these signs during pregnancy, visit your dentist.

4. Quit smoking! Tobacco products are not good for anyone’s health! Smoking during pregnancy negatively affects both you and your child. Tobacco usage can lead to a variety of diseases including gum disease. It affects both of you, so quitting is good for the two of you!

5. Visit Your Dentist While You Are Pregnant. Professional cleanings are essential during pregnancy to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Schedule an appointment during your second trimester, and be sure to tell your dentist that you are pregnant and disclose any medications or prenatal vitamins that you are taking.

Here are additional tips to keep in mind throughout your pregnancy:

● If your toothpaste is causing you to feel nauseous, switch toothpaste brands or change to a mild flavor.
● Be sure to brush your front teeth and the back of your teeth very well during pregnancy. Make it a point to brush the gum line to prevent gingivitis from occurring and also the teeth and biting surfaces to prevent dental caries (decay).
● Your diet and eating habits will probably change during pregnancy! Make sure to adjust your at-home dental care routine as well. If you have a midnight snack, brush your teeth again to reduce the chance of cavities.
● In addition to flossing and brushing, be sure to rinse with a fluoride mouthwash.

Halloween candy is a sweet treat, but can be a nasty problem for your children’s teeth! Candy brings a lot of smiles, but as you let your children enjoy the special occasion, also be mindful of your child’s oral health.

Did you know that slowly liking a piece of hard candy over several minutes, or slowly sipping a sugary drink can cause even more tooth decay than eating candy or drinking a sweet drink quickly all at once? Long-lasting snacks can cause long-lasting damage to your child’s teeth. Limiting the number of times per day that your child consumes candy can be an easy way to limit the damaging effects of sugar on their teeth.

How to have a safe and healthy Halloween

First, you can choose the right kind of snacks. While candy during Halloween may be unavoidable, look for some sugar-free alternatives and mix in healthy snacks such as cheese, vegetables, peanut butter, yogurt and chocolate milk.

Keep your children hydrated with fresh water during long trips of trick-or-treating. Of course, when you return home, be sure to brush and floss very well. This will help to prevent the sugar from candy causing harmful bacteria in your child’s mouth. Especially after a sweet treat, be sure to help young children with their brushing and flossing to make sure all surfaces on their teeth are clean.

How to take care of your teeth after Halloween

Even with your best efforts, your children will probably enjoy some sugary treats this Halloween. As we’ve discussed, frequently consuming sugary snacks can expose them to tooth decay, so be sure to keep their teeth healthy and strong by visiting your dentist.

Practicing good dental hygiene can allow your child to enjoy the occasional sweet treat and keep them healthy at the same time. Make sure your child brushes and flosses everyday, especially after Halloween. Check your toothpaste to make sure it contains fluoride, and give us a call to make sure that your growing kids are scheduled for their regular dental checkup!

Have a Happy Halloween!!