Love Your Teeth
While chocolates, cookies, cakes and candies are often given as a sweet gesture on Valentine’s Day, they can be tough on your teeth. In particular, gummy candies and other types of hard treats are especially detrimental due to their stickiness.
A treat to consider? Dark chocolate covered strawberries that are sweetened naturally with xylitol or stevia are not only scrumptious but may have health benefits.
If you do choose to indulge, make sure you brush your teeth soon after consuming your treat of choice to prevent damaging plaque from forming.
If you love your teeth but wish they were brighter, ask us about teeth whitening. A gleaming smile shows the world you’re confident—at your next visit, we’d be happy to discuss whitening options with you.
Remember, visiting our practice for routine preventative checkups every six months is one of the best ways to love your teeth.
Brushing Basics
Keeping your pearly whites gleaming clean starts with the basics of brushing. First, choose a soft-bristled toothbrush as that will be most gentle on your enamel and gums.
Be sure to brush lightly as brushing too firmly can harm your teeth and gums. Remember, you’re taking care of your teeth not scrubbing soap scum off the bathroom tile.
It’s also important to brush your teeth at least twice a day — for two minutes each time. Set a timer on your phone or brush while listening to your favourite song, which is likely to be at least a few minutes long.
Just as it’s important to brush your teeth, you should also brush under the gum line to keep them healthy and pink.
In addition to good brushing habits, scheduling regular preventative checkups can go a long way in optimising your oral health and maintaining a healthy, beautiful smile!