5 Reasons to Invest in Your Holiday Smile

One of the most stressful parts of the holidays is the expectation of photographs, especially if you are self-conscious about your smile. With all of the other aspects of life that take our time and focus, it can be challenging to devote time to your teeth, but it is a fundamental part of self-care that helps improve mental and physical wellbeing.

1.    Confidence
There are many health reasons to take care of your teeth, but your self-confidence is one of the most important aspects. When you are uncomfortable with your teeth, and therefore your smile, you are less likely to be comfortable in any face-to-face interaction with other people. 

If you find yourself worrying about how your smile looks, you distract yourself from the matter at hand, whether for work, school, or your personal life. Whether your teeth are misaligned, stained, or yellowed, a trip to the dentist will help get you on the right path!

2.    Avoiding Daily Damage
The hardest part of maintaining a healthy, happy smile is the daily routine required. Unfortunately, your teeth undergo structural and cosmetic damage daily due to the food and beverages we consume, and building a daily routine is the best way to combat this damage.

Work with your dentist to not only schedule regular cleanings but also develop a home tooth-care routine that will help prevent all this periodic damage

3.    Saving Money
There's a reason that dental health care is a kind of investment. By taking the time to care for your teeth right now, you will save money in the future. The cost to correct long-term damage is significantly higher than the tiny expense that comes from regular maintenance.

In general, restorative dental work is the most expensive and time-consuming variety that there is, so taking care of your teeth regularly will prevent these costs and discomfort from adding up.

4.    Preventing Bad Breath
This reason ties into number one on our list, but another byproduct of poor dental hygiene that leads to self-confidence issues is the potential for persistent bad breath. While having a breath mint moments before you need to be near someone is a temporary solution, a permanent solution is the only way to prevent this kind of bad breath from continuing.

 

There are several causes for persistent bad breath, and almost all of them are due to poor dental hygiene. Speak to your dentist to discover what steps you need to take to correct or prevent this from happening to you.

5.    Avoiding Pain And Infection
In extreme cases, poor dental hygiene can lead to infections, gum diseases, and cavities. These conditions do not only cause discomfort, but if left untreated will cause significant damage to your teeth, and pain to accompany it.

Oral health is one of the most important aspects of personal care, and if you don't already see a Hornsby Dentist regularly, it isn't too late to start. Book an appointment and speak candidly with your dentist to learn what steps you need to take now to ensure you can smile happily and often!

How to Maintain a Regular Dental Routine for Children

 Many dentists will tell you that the key to good oral hygiene is having good habits from a very young age. Even if you’re able to do everything right as an adult, having important oral hygiene as a child can have a big impact on your teeth as you get older.

The best kind of dental care for kids is actually before a baby’s first tooth appears. The teeth are actually already there, they’re just hidden in the gums. When your child is born, they have 20 primary teeth, most of which are already formed. Parents are advised to wipe gums clean with a damp washcloth to clear away bacteria and as soon as those teeth come out, get them brushed with an infant toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste.

Building Up Good Dental Health

Plaque is the enemy where teeth are concerned. Plaque is a thin, clear film of bacteria that sticks to your teeth. The bacteria in your mouth absolutely love sugar, so as soon as it’s on your teeth, the bacteria breaks it down into acid that eats away at your tooth enamel. This can cause holes, called cavities. It can also cause gingivitis, a gum disease that can affect your gums, making your teeth loose and eventually, fall out!

The last thing anyone wants, including your kids, is teeth that are sore, full of cavities, and unhealthy gums. You’ll not enjoy eating your favourite foods and you won’t feel much like smiling either.

Parents should be helping their children with dental health because it’s an integral part of a child’s wellbeing. At Gentle Care Dentistry, we’re a dentist in Hornsby that cares, and we’ve been able to devise a few things to help to maintain a regular dental health routine for children. 

●    Let Your Kids Decide
One of the best things you can do is give your child some hygiene independence. Make sure that they brush their teeth twice a day but let them choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste to make it “their own”.

●    Get a Fun Timer
Dentists recommend 2 minutes of brushing, twice a day. Get your kids a fun little timer with their favourite cartoon character on it. This can encourage them to brush for the appropriate time, while still being fun.

●    Reward Them
Don’t reward them with sugary treats, but instead something else they value. Maybe a week of good habits will get them a new toy, or perhaps get them out of doing chores. Something they value will help them see it through.

●    Make the Dentist Fun
The negative connotation attached to the dentist is likely due to the occasional temporary pain some can experience. Doing something fun before or after can really help to ease the pressure on the trip, making it a better experience.


Make your children’s health an important part of growing up – Call us now! – 8411 2674