Vancity dental

At-Home Oral Healthcare Tips

April 7, 2021

Oral healthcare is very important, and a good at-home oral hygiene routine is a must so that your teeth and gums stay healthy. Self-care is something you need to take very seriously, and the following tips will ensure you have a healthy mouth:

Clean Your Toothbrush

A lot of people focus only on their teeth and forget about their toothbrush, but this can be problematic, so make sure you spend some time cleaning your toothbrush. Always wash your hands with soap before and after you touch your toothbrush, as this will avoid spreading anything to or from your mouth. You should also always rinse your toothbrush before and after every use to soften the bristles and eliminate any food particles or hardened toothpaste from the previous use. You can do this by holding your toothbrush under hot water to eliminate germs and disinfect it.

Brush Your Teeth Twice A Day For Two Minutes

This is a rule you must follow so that you brush properly. Always use a clean, soft-bristled toothbrush and if you are using a manual one, make sure you hold it at the right angle and brush gently in a circular motion. If you prefer an electric toothbrush, brush gently in a gliding motion and make sure you brush every tooth. Regardless of the type of toothbrush you use, you need to brush for two minutes to ensure your teeth, gums, and tongue are all clean.

Follow Your Routine

No matter how busy and hectic life gets, it is very important that you stick to your routine. This is the only way your mouth will remain healthy, so do not skip this task because you need to brush your teeth every morning and every night. It’s also a must that you floss because brushing alone will not help keep your mouth healthy. You need to brush and floss daily because debris and plaque will collect between your teeth, and flossing will help clean the hard-to-reach areas. Flossing will also lower your risk of developing gum disease and heart disease, so it is very important that you include this step in your daily routine.

Limit Your Consumption Of Sugary Snacks And Acidic Beverages

These foods and drinks will harm your teeth and will impact your oral health negatively. Acid will wear away the enamel on your teeth, so you will no longer have a protective layer, and cavities will form as a result. This is a serious issue that can lead to a number of problems but limiting acidic drinks, and sugary foods will prevent this from happening.

Change Your Toothbrush Regularly

This should be done every three months so that your brush cleans your teeth effectively.

If you want a bright and beautiful smile, the dentists at Vancity Dental can help! Whether you need teeth whitening or a regular check-up, our clinic does it all, so if you are in Vancouver, BC, give our office a call today!

Do Aligners Like Invisalign Hurt?

January 18, 2021

Aligners are a great way of achieving straighter teeth but a common concern that many people have is the pain aspect of these treatments. It is natural to wonder and worry about aligner discomfort and most people want to know if they hurt before proceeding with this treatment option.

While you may experience minor pain and some discomfort, the good news is that aligners are tolerable, and in most cases, the process can be easily managed. Aligners will cause your teeth to move, which is their intended purpose, and this can result in minor aches but it is bearable and the end results will be well worth some discomfort.

Knowing what to expect will help with the treatment, so if you are considering aligners like Invisalign, expect to deal with tooth movement and aligner fit, which can lead to tenderness and pressure, both of which are very common. Aligners cause your teeth to shift, so there will be some discomfort during the course of your treatment. Most people will only notice this pain when they take their aligners out and place them back in, as this might trigger that pain. It’s important to know that pressure is a good sign because it means your aligners are working. Minor discomfort means your aligners are doing their job, so do not be concerned when this happens because it takes a small amount of pressure for your teeth to realign. While it may not feel great, it is part of the treatment. Some people may also experience tongue and gum irritation if the edges of the aligner rub against your cheek, tongue or gums. You may experience irritation as a result but your orthodontist may be able to provide you with some recommendations to help find a solution.

Several aligners are needed during the treatment process and the pressure is usually at its greatest whenever you make the switch because of the discrepancy between the shape of your new aligner and the alignment of your teeth. This will cause you to feel some discomfort but over time, your teeth will start to shift and will conform to fit the aligner. Once this happens, your pain should subside and your mouth will begin to relax. The discomfort is the result of your teeth moving into their new positions so that you can have straighter teeth and a more beautiful smile.

When it comes to aligners like Invisalign, you will likely experience mild discomfort as opposed to pain but this discomfort will usually ease within a couple of days after your aligner tray change. Both the pressure and any tooth movement will decrease and the feeling of tightness will subside.

If you are interested in Invisalign treatment, Vancity Dental can provide you with more information. Our clinic will help you achieve a beautiful and healthy smile and our dentists can help with all of your dental needs, so if you are in Vancouver, BC, give our office a call today!