The Importance of Toothpaste

As little as we think about it, toothpaste is a big part of our oral hygiene routine. And while everyone knows the importance of brushing twice a day, the importance of toothpaste is a little more unclear. Some people use a lot, some people just use water, and some people make their own teeth-cleaning solutions. The important thing is to clean your teeth properly and know how toothpaste can help your overall oral hygiene.

Toothpaste Use in Adults and Children

In a 1940s toothpaste advertisement, toothpaste was shown covering all the bristles on the toothbrush. This guided many adults as to how much toothpaste they should be using. However, such liberal use of toothpaste is simply too much.

The CDA supports use of toothpaste with fluoride to help prevent cavities and dental problems, and should be used twice daily. Adults should only be using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste during each brushing.  Only a dab is enough to properly clean teeth. Adults tend to overuse toothpaste.  When used properly, a tube of toothpaste can last much longer.

For children, there are stricter “rules” for toothpaste use. Parents should always consult their children’s dental professional to determine toothpaste use in children, depending on their risk of developing tooth decay.  If at risk, children age 3 and under should have their teeth brushed by an adult to limit the risk of swallowing too much fluoridated toothpaste. Although, if a child is not at risk for tooth decay, the CDA recommends that the child’s teeth be brushed using only a soft toothbrush, dampened only by water.

Children ages 3-6 should be supervised while brushing when using toothpaste, and should remain supervised until maximum dexterity has been reached. For this age group, only a fraction of a pea-sized amount of toothpaste is recommended.

For both children and adults, fluoridated toothpaste should be used in moderation to reduce the risk of developing dental fluorosis while maximizing the benefits of fluoride. Dental fluorosis is not a disease, nor does it affect the structural integrity of your teeth, but it can appear as white streaks on your teeth or slight discolouration.  In most cases, the effects of dental fluorosis are subtle and typically only a dental professional would be able to see the effects it has on your teeth.

Benefits of Toothpaste

Plaque is the primary cause of gum disease and cavities. If it is not consistently removed, it can harden onto your teeth and form tartar. Tartar creates an ideal environment for bacteria to grow.  The best way to control plaque is by brushing your teeth.  But how crucial is toothpaste to your oral hygiene routine?

From a truly practical standpoint, toothpaste is not necessary to effectively clean teeth.  Using a soft-bristled brush and practicing proper brushing techniques is enough to remove the plaque from your teeth. Combined with regular flossing, limiting sugary food and drinks, and having routine dentist appointments, your teeth will stay clean and healthy.

So why do we use toothpaste? Because there are many benefits to using toothpaste, other than simply cleaning your teeth. Toothpaste aids in prevention against gingivitis and tooth decay, which leads to more severe dental issues.

  • Toothpaste comes in many flavors and helps to leave your mouth and breath feeling fresh after brushing. It can also masks any scents from strong-flavored foods like garlic or onions.
  • Most toothpastes contain fluoride, which many dental professionals agree that using fluoride can help prevent against cavities and keep tooth enamel strong by resisting early signs of tooth decay.
  • Toothpaste has properties that help other dental problems like tooth sensitivity, teeth whitening, tooth decay, and gum disease.

How Does Toothpaste Work?

Toothpaste has come a long way from its Egyptian origins of rocks and vinegar. Modern toothpastes contain ingredients that help strengthen your tooth enamel and protect against dental problems. Regardless of what brand of toothpaste you buy, there are some ingredients that are standard in all non-organic brands that are responsible for keeping your smile looking bright and clean:

  • Abrasives, like calcium carbonite, gently polish your teeth and clean bacterial film from your teeth and gums. They’re also responsible for dissolving stains from your teeth.
  • Flavoring in toothpaste them taste and smell appealing. Flavors like mint and cinnamon are common, but some other flavors you can find are lemon and bubblegum.
  • Thickening agents such as cellulose gum stabilize the toothpaste formula and and retain moisture so it stays on your toothbrush.
  • Detergents are responsible for creating the foamy texture we associate with toothpaste. This foam helps dislodge food remains and plaque.
  • Treatment Additives may be added to help prevent specific dental issues like cavity protection, tartar control, teeth whitening, and sensitive teeth.

Fluoride

The most important ingredient that toothpaste can contain is fluoride. Using a fluoridated toothpaste is one of the most significant things you can do for keeping your teeth and mouth healthy. A topical fluoride helps hardens your teeth and promotes an overall healthy mouth.

Organic toothpastes do not contain any sulfates or parabens, and do not have artificial flavoring or colors. For people who have mouth sores or rashes in or around the mouth, you may want to try an organic toothpaste that is void of any synthetic additives or ingredients. People who are active, eat healthy, and avoid foods that are high in sugar may see benefits from using natural toothpastes that are void of fluoride. Healthy diets help your body gain nutrients that help prevent tooth decay – the main reason fluoridated toothpastes are so important. If you are at higher risk of tooth decay or other serious dental problems, your dentist may recommend using toothpaste with fluoride.

No matter what type of toothpaste you prefer, getting regular dental cleanings is important to your overall oral health. If you have any questions about what toothpaste you should be using, contact your dentist today.

If you would like to learn more, please do not hesitate to give us a call or contact us to book an appointment.

Can Diet Affect Your Oral Health?

Your mouth is a complex organism. Everything that comes in contact with your teeth and gums can affect your oral health.  Your food and beverage choices, and the frequency at which you eat them, are important to preserving your overall health.

A diet high in processed foods will have a negative affect on your oral health due to the high sugar content. These sugary, sticky, and acidic foods should be avoided to help prevent cavities which lead to more severe dental issues like tooth decay. If you do indulge in sticky or sweet treats, avoid keeping them in your mouth too long, as this will increase the sugar build-up on your teeth and lead to quicker bacteria and plaque production.

How Does Your Diet Affect Your Oral Health?

The average Canadian eats 40kg of sugar each year. It’s no wonder that sugar is one of the leading causes of dental problems. In fact, the most common chronic childhood disease is tooth decay. This is often a result of too much sugar in the diet. Tooth decay occurs when bacteria and plaque are formed from residual sugar in the mouth. This produces acid that attacks your teeth. The acidity eats away at your tooth’s enamel, causing it to rot away. Foods like candy, cookies, pastries, and soda are the top offenders. Limiting a child’s sugar intake and remembering to brush after each sweet treat will help prevent cavities from forming.

In adults, gum disease is a more common dental problem. If not properly treated, it can lead to tooth loss. The leading cause of gum disease comes from a lack of proper nutrition. If your diet lacks certain nutrients, it may be more difficult for the tissue in your mouth to resist infection. That’s why eating a balanced diet is crucial to your overall oral health.

A diet that contains calcium-rich foods is beneficial to your oral health.  Calcium helps make your teeth stronger. Snacks like cheese, nuts, whole grains, and low-fat dairy foods help your body gain the nutrients necessary to keep you healthy. Raw vegetables and fruits that have naturally occurring sugars are a great snack. Sugars that are naturally found in fruits and veggies are healthy. Your body needs a certain amount of sugar to keep your body’s pH levels regulated.

How to Promote Good Oral Health

Keeping your mouth healthy is not difficult. It can easily be incorporated into your daily life by making smart choices, beginning with what comes in contact with your teeth and gums. Here are a few guidelines that promote strong teeth and will keep your smile looking healthy:

  • Limit Between-Meal Snacks – If you feel the urge to snack between mealtime, choose something healthy like vegetables or cheese. Food that is eaten outside a meal can cause harm to your mouth because there is less saliva to help wash away the food from your teeth. Saliva is more plentiful during mealtime.
  • Stay Away From Sticky Foods – Sticky foods like honey, raisins, and starchy foods like potato chips or bread are more likely to cause cavities than non-sticky foods. These foods stick to your teeth, leaving behind a residue that is difficult to brush off.
  • Drink Plenty of Water – It’s tempting to reach for a caffeinated, sugary drink for an afternoon pick-me-up, but drinks like sodas and even energy and sports drinks have high sugar content. Plain water is the healthiest option for your teeth and your overall health.
  • Watch Out for Teeth-Staining Drinks – Dark-coloured drinks like coffee, tea, and red wine, have tendencies to stain your teeth when not consumed in moderation. The colour pigments in these beverages called chromogens attach to your tooth’s enamel, causing it to stain. The best way to prevent these stains is to drink plenty of water to wash away the tooth-staining properties.
  • Give Your Mouth a Break – Taking breaks between snacks and meals gives your mouth time to naturally wash away any food residue.  Having a two-hour break between when you eat reduces your risk of tooth decay.
  • Regular Brushing and Flossing – Keeping your teeth clean is the most important part of having healthy teeth. Removing food residue, acid and sugar particles, and color pigments that can damage and stain your teeth will keep your smile looking healthy and your teeth clean. Brushing and flossing twice a day is recommended as well as regular dentist visits for a deep clean.
  • Reduce Processed Sugar –  Be mindful when you are grocery shopping by reading ingredient labels on packaged food items.  Try to avoid foods that have high fructose corn syrup, molasses, glucose, honey, or any type of sugar.  It can be time-consuming at first, but once you learn how to make healthier food choices, eating with your oral health in mind is a breeze.
  • Brush On-The-Go – It may not be possible to make healthy choices if you travel often. But keeping a travel-sized tooth brush and toothpaste in your car or your travel bag can make it easier to clean your teeth after a morning coffee or sugary sweet snack.
  • Chew Sugar-Free Gum – If you have a hard time not snacking between meals, then chew sugar-free gum after each snack. Chewing gum helps prevent cavities because it promotes saliva production. Saliva washes away food and sugar residue from the teeth. Increased saliva production increases calcium to your mouth which makes your tooth enamel stronger; not to mention, you’ll have fresh breath!
  • Limit Citrus Intake – Citrus fruits are delicious alternatives to sugary snacks, but be careful of the acid levels in these fruits. Overexposure to these acids can cause tooth erosion because the citrus eats away at your tooth’s enamel, making them more susceptible to damage.  Citrus also irritates mouth sores, which can be painful and cause discomfort.

Moving away from processed sugars and understanding how the foods and beverages we consume affect our health will help promote good oral health, keep our teeth healthy, and help us avoid serious dental issues.

If you would like to learn more, please do not hesitate to give us a call or contact us to book an appointment.

Seven Warning Signs that you’re Getting a Tooth Infection

Tooth pain is never good a thing, but it may be more serious than you think. Tooth infections arise when the nerves within your tooth die due to progressing decay or injury. Without treatment, bacteria can infect the dead tooth and cause dental abscesses. This can lead to swelling and infections, which can occasionally be life threatening. However, the sooner you can treat your root canal infection, the sooner you can return to full oral and physical health.

Unchecked, hidden dangers put your oral health at risk. Threats such as tooth infections can lead to severe pain, loss of teeth, and serious health implications.

What causes a tooth infection?

The Canadian Dental Association says that most tooth infections are a result of untreated decay or cracked teeth. In either circumstance, when bacteria penetrates through your tooth’s enamel, it can cause an abscess. Tooth infections can also be a result of gum infection, as seen in some cases where gum diseases are present. If you experience bleeding when flossing or brushing your teeth, it may be a sign that there is an underlying dental problem.

You may be at higher risk for tooth infections if you consume a high-sugar diet. Sugary foods create a plaque buildup that produces an acidity that will eventually eat away at the enamel on your teeth, making them more susceptible to cavities or abscesses.

Tip: If you’re suffering from pain or have an infection, see your dentist sooner rather than later. The longer you wait, the more complicated the infection will get. 

Seven signs of a tooth infection:

1. Persistent and recurring toothaches

If you are feeling severe pain in your teeth, it’s a good idea to go to the dentist to get an x-ray. Your pain may be resulting from a sinus infection or a tooth injury, however if the pain continues for more than a week, it may be a cavity. The toothache can worsen and spread to your jawline if not caught in enough time.

2. Pain or sensitivity to any food or drink that’s hot or cold

According to the Ontario Dental Association, when a cavity penetrates its way down to the dentin of your teeth, this creates a breeding ground for infection to form from acidic, cold, hot, sticky, or sweet foods.

3. General sensitivity/jolts of pain

There are two reasons you’ll feel sensitivity:

  1. The pulp within your tooth is inflamed
  2. You may have a cracked tooth

Whether the pain is coming from a cracked tooth or infected tooth pulp, it’s best to see a dentist right away for a diagnosis or x-rays. If left untreated, it may lead to tooth extractions or root canals.

4. Fever

If you’re not having cold or flu like symptoms, but are encountering fever-like symptoms, book an appointment with your dentist to learn if the fever is indeed a result of a tooth infection. A fever is the result of your body trying to fight off the infection, and can usually be treated with an antibiotic.

5. Swelling and tender lymph nodes

Swollen lymph nodes are caused when your teeth are exposed to too much bacteria. If you’re noticing swelling in your neck and/or jaw line it’s best to consult with your doctor or dentist for the appropriate plan of action.

6. Seeing holes or deep pits within the teeth

When a cavity or infection starts to form, it starts off as a small white spot on the surface of your tooth. When the infection gets worse, you’ll begin to see holes or deep pits (which normally aren’t visible to the naked eye). If you can see these holes/pits, the infection is more far-gone than you may have realized. It’s recommended to see a dental professional immediately.

7. Deeply stained teeth

Yes… red wine, coffee, and dark, sugary drinks can all stain your teeth. However, if you notice a discoloured spot (normally a different colour from your other teeth), it can be a sign of an infection. The discolouration may be because the enamel or dentin are being affected by the infection.

Tooth Infection Prevention

Tooth infections are often caused by a smaller dental problem that escalates into an infection. By maintaining good oral hygiene and dental habits, you can help prevent infections.

  • Brush and floss at least twice a day to remove plaque and bacteria build up.
  • Regular visits to the dentist where they’ll use x-rays to locate potential cavities, spots, and issues before they become infections.
  • Use an antimicrobial mouth rinse (in combination with regular brushing and flossing) to help reduce the bacteria and plaque build-up  in your mouth.
  • Eat healthy foods that are high in protein and calcium that promote healthy teeth. Limit sugary foods and in-between meal snacks.
  • Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months, or when the bristles begin to look frayed.

By practicing good oral hygiene habits, you can help protect your smile from the harmful decay and bacteria that are responsible for painful infections. If you’re encountering any of these signs, it’s best to seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent the risk of the pain and infection getting worse.

If you would like to learn more, please do not hesitate to give us a call or contact us to book an appointment.