The Ontario Dental Association (ODA) is reminding residents to keep their teeth in mind this time of year.
The holidays are filled with plenty tasty treats, and it’s your job to play defence for your teeth. The ODA has provided a list of tips:
- Flossing – Flossing isn’t just about clearing debris from between your teeth, it also disrupts bacterial growth. Think of it like preventing a colony of millions of germs from taking up space in your gums. Healthy gums also mean less inflammation and less chance of developing or worsening other serious health problems like diabetes, heart disease or dementia.
- Maintain order – When it comes to cleaning your mouth, flossing should always come first, followed by mouthwash (if you use any) and then brushing goes last. This is because toothpaste has fluoride to coat and protect your teeth and using mouthwash after brushing would wash it away.
- Don’t rinse – This may be a hard habit to break but you should not rinse your mouth with water after brushing your teeth. Let the fluoride in toothpaste do its work to help prevent cavities. This is also why you’re only supposed to use a small (pea size) amount of toothpaste when you brush.
- Easy on the mouthwash – You may be tempted to use mouthwash throughout the day to keep your breath fresh. Alcohol-based mouthwash can cause dry mouth, irritate sores and damage your cheeks, gums and tongue if overused. And remember, it’s NOT a substitute for flossing and brushing!
- Brush your tongue – Whenever you’re brushing your teeth, be sure to give your tongue a scrub while you’re at it. Tiny food particles and film from certain foods and beverages can coat your tongue and cause a stink if not brushed away.
- Watch out for stress – The holidays can be a stressful time and the pandemic can make it worse. Grinding and clenching teeth, especially during sleep, is a common warning sign of too much stress and it can lead to broken teeth, jaw pain and headaches. Night guards can help, so talk to your dentist about it.
For more dental care tips and COVID-19 updates, including what to expect at your next dental appointment, click here.
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