WARNING: This fact may startle you:
Seven out of ten Canadians will develop gum disease at some point in their lives.
- From the Canadian Dental Association
Despite this statistic, gum and other oral diseases are 100% preventable. The secret: practicing good, daily dental hygiene. In honor of National Dental Hygiene Month, your Langley dentist has the top four daily dental tips you need to do to keep your smile in tip-top shape.
1. Brush Daily - Always brush two minutes, two times a day.
Brushing your teeth thoroughly (and gently) is the most important method to reducing plaque and preventing tooth decay and gum disease. When brushing, be sure to place the brush head at a 45 degree angle on your gumline and tooth surface while moving the toothbrush in a circular motion. Important: Make sure you replace your toothbrush every three to four months.
2. Floss Daily - Make it a habit.
Brushing your teeth is extremely important, but it only cleans 70% of your mouth. Flossing covers the other 30% by removing plaque and food particles in between teeth. Neglecting flossing will only increase your chances of tooth decay and gum disease. Talk to our dental hygienists at Dr. Cameron Garrett to learn the proper way to floss.
3. Swish and Rinse - Use mouthwash every day.
Incorporating mouthwash into your dental hygiene routine is an important step to a healthy mouth. Be sure to choose an non-alcoholic mouthwash to avoid dry mouth and be sure to look for the CDA Seal of Approval for a supreme healthy mouth.
4. Chew Sugar-Free Gum - Add some sweetness to your routine.
After every meal and drink, plaque takes the opportunity to produce acid, attacking your smile. Research has shown chewing sugar-free gum after every meal can protect your smile because it increases the quantity of saliva, which neutralizes the acid.
Practice these four tips daily and schedule your biannual check ups with Dr Steven C. Hill in Langley to keep your smile healthy for a lifetime!
Do you have any questions? Comment in our blog below and we’ll be sure to respond!
Langley dentist, Dr. J. Cameron Garrett, was born and raised in Kamloops, BC on a small hobby farm. He grew up playing lots of sports and volunteering with a number of organizations. Due to his interest in the outdoors and adventure, he became a forest firefighter in the summer for 11 years. In the winter, he worked in welding and carpentry.
Alongside his many careers, Dr. Garrett pursued a degree at Thompson Rivers University, and it was here that he discovered dentistry. He looked into it deeper and realized it had all the components of a career he desired. He loved working with his hands and enjoyed the idea of helping people. Although Dr. Garrett considered being a medical doctor, it was the ability to combine his unique skillsets that attracted him to dentistry.
He then attended dental school at UBC, and after graduating, he worked as an associate dentist in Tsawwassen, Surrey, and Langley, BC. He then found a mentor in Dr. Cameron Garrett and has enjoyed working at our practice ever since. Together, they continue to help patients make positive changes and highlight the connection between oral health and overall health.
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