Dental Dialogues – Consistency in a World Where There Isn’t Any!

Welcome to our third Dental Dialogue. Three months of sharing information about our practice, the importance of visiting the Dentist (we admit, we’re biased) and new this month, sharing information on the importance of good oral health habits not only for your teeth but for your overall health too. Today, we’re talking about consistency in a world where right now, it seems like there isn’t any.

No doubt you’ve heard or read about the importance of establishing a routine and schedule when it comes to a new health and wellness regime. Whether you want to lose weight, eat healthy or start exercising, Google “How long does it take to establish a routine?” and the answer is typically anywhere from 21 days to approximately 65+ days. The generally accepted rule of thumb is that it takes 21 days to form a habit and 66 days for it to become routine. Sadly, those same Google search results will also advise you that skipping a routine for as little as just three days, makes you highly susceptible to losing the routine altogether. What does all of this have to do with teeth? Easy! The key to taking great care of your teeth is to establish consistency and routine in their care and wherever possible, to never skip a day of dental care – let alone three!

Some time ago there was significant debate about whether brushing your teeth 2 or 3x per day was considered routine. It went on for quite some time. From a purely practical point of view, for many, two times a day is what works best (morning and night) because brushing mid-day is problematic for many. Perhaps you’ve already guessed what our suggestion will be? If you said, “It doesn’t matter, consistency is key,” you’d be correct! If you are in a position to brush three times daily, by all means do so but one of the best rules of thumb when it comes to oral health care is consistency. If you can only brush twice, that’s fine but make sure you do! Twice daily, at around the same time and using a proper brushing technique.*

We could offer all kinds of suggestions concerning the other debate that took place more recently, whether to floss or not. While we (and most dentists) fall on the side of “Pro” flossing, (as does the Canadian Dental Association) once again, consistency is the key to success. Whether you floss daily, or just once or twice a week, doing so routinely is what matters most. Flossing is an effective way to take preventative measures like removing plaque and bacteria from between the teeth where a toothbrush often can’t reach.

Finally, there was also some talk on social media about whether to rinse with mouthwash after brushing. Here are our thoughts on that topic:

• Mouthwash can be a good idea after eating, particularly if brushing is not an option.
• Mouthwash is not a substitute for brushing and flossing.
• Mouthwash can help if you are someone who suffers from halitosis (bad breath.)

Another key to excellent oral health care is of course, scheduling a routine visit with your Dental practitioner. We love to see our patients more than once a year for preventative maintenance. In a world that’s currently seen all of our routines turned upside down due to COVID-19, and in fact, a world where dental offices were closed for the better part of three months, we’re still helping patients to rebook regular appointments for important oral health care like routine cleanings. Let us help you to reestablish some consistency in your oral health routine. We’re open and ready to serve you. Are you ready to regain some consistency in your life? Start with your oral health care routine and when we’re finally able to move on from wearing masks in public, you’ll have a beautiful smile to share with the world!

Tips for Brushing Teeth Properly
• Ensure you are holding the brush firmly in your hand.
• We recommend using a soft bristle brush for maximum effect.
• First brush your top teeth then the bottom teeth, using an using an away from the gum motion.
• “Less is best!” Just use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
• Brush for two minutes. Kids, adults, everyone – two is “tworrific!”
• Rinse well.
• Be gentle – this isn’t a strength or endurance contest – Be consistent and don’t forget the back of your teeth, molars and tongue!

Eglinton Square Dental, the perfect combination of innovation and experience.