Month: October 2019

Basics of Brushing

We were all taught to take care of our teeth from a young age, but do we really follow and understand the basics of brushing? Brushing and flossing may seem second nature to you, but how well are you really cleaning your teeth? It may seem like a crazy question to ask, but not that many people are actually brushing in a manner that is cleaning their teeth fully or using proper techniques. The first thing when you ask someone, how long should you brush for? – The answer without a doubt will be two minutes. Two minutes is the correct answer, because brushing for longer may damage your teeth and gums, but too short does not clean your teeth.

If you’re in need some reminders on the basics of brushing, here are some tips:

Avoid using a lot of pressure when you brush your teeth. Instead of focusing on the pressure, use short, gentle strokes. Also, it is important to focus on the hard to reach, because they are the spots where food collects and isn’t always touched by the bristles.

Using a good toothbrush and toothpaste is also something to focus on.  To get the most out of brushing, a good toothbrush is essential.  There are many different options to choose from, which can make it extremely difficult to pick the right brush. Choose a brush with bristles labeled as soft. This is important, because the soft bristles are gentle on the gums, and do a great job removing plaque from the teeth. A small head is also preferred, as it can easily reach hard to get places, such as molars.

There is also an assortment of toothpaste available, which are strategically designed to help you with a variety of different conditions. You can get toothpaste that will prevent toothaches, stop sensitivity, and prevent tartar and gingivitis.  When searching for the right toothpaste, find the best one that fits your needs as well as marked as certified by the ADA.

Always remember to replace your brush every couple of months, or when the bristles start to show signs of wear and fray. If the bristles begin to wear out, they can tear away at your gums, leading to sensitivity. Also keep in mind that if you’ve had a cold you should replace your toothbrush, simply because the bristles can contain germs that could get you sick again.

There are many things to know about brushing your teeth and the basics of it, but with these simple steps, you will be on your way to be a brushing master.

Contact us at our Vancouver, British Columbia offices to schedule an appointment with Dr. Roshanzamir.

Dental Consequences of Thumb Sucking

It is so common to see young children sucking their thumbs. Maybe sometimes it is even easier to have them suck their thumb instead of being upset when there is no binky around. Thumb sucking may seem innocent, but it may be followed by some serious consequences.

Thumb sucking may cause dental problems in the future for your child. Because of the pressure of a thumb, versus a softer material made for a pacifier, your child’s teeth may experience a shift. This shift causes the teeth to no longer be properly aligned, causing an overbite. Even more serious than an overbite, the roof of their mouth may become malformed, as well. These issues may need an orthodontist’s advice beginning at a severely young age.

Along with the overbite and potential malformed roof of the child’s mouth, this can cause speech issues. Speech issues come from the misalignment of teeth, which could cause distortions and stop the tongue from forming proper shapes to speak words. This may also affect a child’s swallowing, which could cause choking. It is important to stop this from happening, so you do not have to go through life long issues.

It is important also to not have your child suck their thumb for the sake of germs. With your child sucking their thumb, then removing it to touch something, they’re taking in germs from every item touched. This also adds more germs to anyone else coming along. Without thumb sucking, germ spreading is cut down, and you may allow for your child to not be sick and develop infections.

There are so many solutions now a days to stop children from sucking their thumbs. From homemade fruit pops to pacifiers, there are safer options for the child that is going through teething or just finds it comforting.

If you are having trouble getting your children to stop thumb sucking or you have experienced the above mentioned, call your dentist. It is important to seek dental attention in this case because they will be able to diagnose the issue and get you and your child the proper care, quickly. Schedule an appointment with your dentist to solve your thumb sucking issues!