Keep your smile in top shape with these oral health tips!

Healthy, clean gums and teeth help to boost your overall wellness and confidence—and take only minutes per day to achieve. While investing in proper protection for your pearly whites may seem daunting or time consuming, caring for them is easier (and quicker) thank you’d think.

To help improve your oral care routine, our resident North York Dental Clinic dentist, Dr. Olavo Queiroz has shared these top 5 ways to avoid gum disease, tooth decay, and related health issues.

1. Brush, brush, brush!

Start and end your day with a careful scrub of your mouth. Dentists recommend brushing for two full minutes for optimal health, during which time you should cover the insides, outsides, and chewing surfaces of your teeth. For best results, try a soft-bristled toothbrush, use fluoridate toothpaste, and replace your brush every two to three months.

2. Don’t forget your tongue

Keeping your tongue plaque-free is essential to your oral wellbeing. Use a toothbrush or a scraper once a day to remove any bacteria, food remnants, and dead cells; doing so will reduce bad breath, prevent cavities, and even improve your sense of taste.

3. Get in the groove(s)

While flossing may not be your favourite pastime, keeping the spaces between your teeth clean can help to reduce your chances of gingivitis, gum disease, and tooth decay. Use floss, an end-tuft brush, a water flosser, a sulcus brush, or a proxabrush to get the job done.

4. Watch what you eat

Maintaining a proper diet has yet another health benefit: keeping your teeth looking—and feeling—their best. Reduce your intake of acidic foods, such as energy drinks, pop, and juice, as these can weaken tooth enamel. Conversely, foods that are high in calcium (including milk, yogurt, almonds, tofu, and dark green leafy vegetables), phosphorous (found in eggs, lean meat, fish, and legumes) and vitamin C (which is present in citrus fruits, potatoes, and broccoli) are known to boost gum and tooth health—so eat up. Also, chew sugarless gum or rinse your teeth after meals to spurn saliva production and minimize the presence of acids.

5. Make a date with the dentist

We don’t bite! Even if you wear dentures, give your dentist a visit every six months for a check-up and regular cleaning. With this, you’ll keep tabs on any potential oral health issues that may arise—and ensure your teeth are free from damaging tartar build-up.