Great dental health is essential if you wish to improve or maintain your general health and wellness. This time of year is a wonderful time to consider resolutions to improve your health or to consider ways you would like to improve your dental health too. Typical resolutions include improving oral care routines at home or completing a delayed treatment plan. People who feel nervous about visiting the dentist in Bowmanville might want to think about overcoming these feelings and discovering how they can visit their dentist more comfortably.

Improving Oral Care at Home

Do you frequently miss cleaning your teeth, perhaps because you feel too busy or too tired or simply can’t be bothered? A good daily oral care routine is a surefire way to improve your oral health. It’s important to brush your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day using a soft-bristled manual or electric toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to efficiently remove dental plaque.

Perhaps you think you could brush your teeth more effectively? Why not ask your hygienist for help and advice? They can demonstrate the right technique to thoroughly brush your teeth, helping you develop a routine where all tooth surfaces are cleaned each time. Your hygienist can also show you how to floss, a task that is essential at least once a day to remove plaque and food debris from hard-to-reach areas.

Is your toothbrush looking a bit worn and past its best? You need a new toothbrush or toothbrush head every three months or whenever it begins to look frayed. It’s also worth replacing your toothbrush if you have been sick recently with a cold or the flu.

Some people like to use mouthwash every day, and if this applies to you, make sure you choose an alcohol-free brand. Ideally, look for a mouthwash that is antimicrobial and which contains fluoride for added protection.

Seeing the Dentist Regularly

The New Year is the ideal time to think about scheduling your checkups and hygiene appointments here at West Bowmanville Family Dental. By booking early, you can get an appointment at a time that suits you best, rather than leaving it until you have a niggling dental problem that you can no longer ignore. If you have been delaying dental treatment, talk to us about scheduling a time to complete it, especially if it is essential for your dental health.

Overcoming Dental Fears

If you feel nervous about seeing a dentist in Newcastle and it’s been quite a while since your last visit, please don’t worry and talk to us about how you feel. Our dental team has a lot of experience in helping nervous patients, and you can be sure we will look after you with compassion and gentleness, helping you overcome your fears and concerns. Please remember we can provide sedation dentistry in Courtice to help you feel more relaxed and comfortable during your dental visits.

Making Healthy Food and Beverage Choices

Many people resolve to follow a healthy diet at this time of year, and choices can greatly affect your dental health. When you choose healthier foods and drinks, especially for snacks, it can positively impact your dental health. It’s often not the quantity of sugary or starchy foods that you eat but the frequency of their consumption. Eating foods that are high in carbohydrates and sugars more frequently exposes your teeth to harmful acids for longer, contributing to the risk of tooth decay in Clarington.

Choosing to complete a meal with a sweet treat when you already feel quite full can mean you are satisfied with eating less. Chewing sugar-free gum and especially gum containing xylitol after a meal can also help neutralize harmful, cavity-causing acid and bacteria. However, it isn’t a substitute for brushing your teeth.