5 New Year’s Resolutions to Commit to for Better Oral Health

Closeup of young man flossing his teeth. Cleaning teeth with dental floss

Everyone comes up with New Year’s resolutions, but whether or not you follow through depends on you alone. While it is indeed difficult to instantly change once the New Year sets in, it is something worth working hard for, especially when it has something to do with your health.

If you are like us who are looking for better ways to care for our teeth and gums, here are some resolutions that might make things easier for you:

Floss, Please!
Yes, brushing your teeth twice a day can help keep fresher breath. While that is important, you should also take note that no matter how hard you brush, it just isn’t enough to avoid the buildup of plaque in between your teeth, it also can’t remove food remnants completely. Flossing can help you with that. If you haven’t been diligent about flossing, then it should definitely be included in your New Year’s resolutions.

Reduce Your Sugar Intake
A study that was published in BMC Public Health in 2014- states that there is a direct link between a person’s sugar consumption and tooth decay. The logic is quite simple. If you cut back on sugar, you also reduce the risk for tooth decay.

Opt For Mouth-Healthy Snacks
To optimize the benefits of your diet on your teeth, resolve to eat more mouth-healthy foods on a daily basis. You can do this, as you cut back on sugar. Dairy products, as we know are high in calcium and work great for your teeth. Fibrous foods also scrub away plaque and other food remnants.

Finally Kick the Habit!
You may have been planning this for a while now. Have the willingness to finally do it. Get rid of all trigger products from your home and office. Ask for help from your friends and family. Remember that smoking is linked to an array of health issues.

Visit Your Dentist As Soon As Possible
If you have skipped a few dentist appointments in the past few weeks, you probably feel too guilty by now to feel comfortable visiting him or her again, but that should not be the case. Make it a point to show up to your appointments, even if you feel everything is fine with your teeth.

These are just five really simple resolutions that will benefit your teeth now and in the long run. Can you add more to the list? What are your New Year’s oral resolutions?

Helpful Resources

dental bridges

For more information, visit the Canadian Dental Association Oral Health.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Contact Pickering Square Dental to book your appointment with Dr. Marvin Lean. Call us at (905) 420-1777 or visit us at 1450 Kingston Rd, Unit #4, Pickering, ON.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I visit the dentist?

The Canadian Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist at least twice a year for regular check-ups and cleanings. Some patients may need more frequent visits depending on their oral health needs. Call Pickering Square Dental at (905) 420-1777 to schedule your next appointment.

Do you accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?

Yes, Pickering Square Dental participates in the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Our team can help you understand your coverage and ensure you receive the dental care you need. Contact us for more details about CDCP eligibility and benefits.

What services does Pickering Square Dental offer?

We offer a full range of dental services including family dentistry, emergency dental care, sedation dentistry, dental implants, laser dentistry, teeth whitening, root canal therapy, dental extractions, periodontal care, and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Lean and our team serve patients in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Scarborough.

Baby’s Healthy Mouth: First Steps to Take

Parents are the first teachers kids get to know and trust to teach them everything they need to learn. They play a big role in maintaining their children’s well-being, including their oral health.

 

According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, tooth decay is accountable for about one-third of all day surgeries preschoolers have each year. That is the reason why we encourage parents to introduce a good oral habit to their kids as early as their infancy.

 

Ideally, parents should take their babies to the dentist for the first time six months after their first teeth erupted. Your dentist will then examine the overall health of your baby’s mouth.

 

You may be surprised to know that a child can develop tooth decay or cavities soon after their first teeth appear. This is often called baby bottle tooth decay, caused by long-term exposure to sugary liquids like milk formula and fruit juice, among others.

 

Aside from tooth decay, there are other dental problems to watch out for like irritations when your baby is teething, gum diseases, and extended thumb or pacifier sucking. To make sure your child doesn’t have any of these, you should visit a dentist as soon as possible.

 

Here are some healthy practices you can do at home to introduce good oral habits to your baby:

 

  • Wipe your baby’s gums with a clean but damp cloth twice daily. Ask your dentist when you may be able to rub a little toothpaste on those gums so your child would become accustomed to the taste of toothpaste.
  • When your baby’s first teeth erupt, you can start brushing those with a tiny and really soft-bristled toothbrush.
  • Assist your kids (preschoolers) as he or she brushes teeth at night, as thorough brushing at night is necessary to protect your teeth as you sleep. You may not be aware, but due to lower salivary flow while you are sleeping, your teeth are more susceptible to plaque and cavities.
  • Make brushing time a bonding time! It’s the best way to show your children how they should brush their teeth. It will instill the importance of brushing and overall oral hygiene, too. Once your children reach the age of five, you can probably let them brush their own teeth but still with supervision.

 

It is important that your children develop good habits for their oral health as early as possible. Your children should be at ease at the dentist’s office too, so it would be best for you to take your little ones to Pickering Square Dental to be acquainted not only with the friendly dentist and staff, but also with the facilities and equipment used. This is important if you want your children to be comfortable and confident when it’s time to visit the dentist!

 

 

 


 

Helpful Resources

sedation dentistry

For more information, visit the Health Canada Children’s Dental Health.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Contact Pickering Square Dental to book your appointment with Dr. Marvin Lean. Call us at (905) 420-1777 or visit us at 1450 Kingston Rd, Unit #4, Pickering, ON.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I visit the dentist?

The Canadian Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist at least twice a year for regular check-ups and cleanings. Some patients may need more frequent visits depending on their oral health needs. Call Pickering Square Dental at (905) 420-1777 to schedule your next appointment.

Do you accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?

Yes, Pickering Square Dental participates in the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Our team can help you understand your coverage and ensure you receive the dental care you need. Contact us for more details about CDCP eligibility and benefits.

What services does Pickering Square Dental offer?

We offer a full range of dental services including family dentistry, emergency dental care, sedation dentistry, dental implants, laser dentistry, teeth whitening, root canal therapy, dental extractions, periodontal care, and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Lean and our team serve patients in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Scarborough.

How to Prepare Your Child for Dental Visits

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Don’t you just love it when your child smiles? For most parents, their child’s smile is one of the best view in the world. That’s why parents also understand how important it is to keep that great smile healthy, and that can only be achieved by regularly visiting the dentist.

 

Unfortunately, most kids have apprehensions about going to the dentist’s office. That of course, is a mild interpretation of those tantrums a child throws complete with wailing, kicking, and sometimes even locking oneself in the room – at the mere mention of seeing the dentist.

 

There could be a lot of factors contributing to this anxiety, including fear of the unknown, or worse, fear of what an older sibling or friend had shared with him or her before. Whatever the reason for this anxiety is, it will be helpful if as parents, we do our part to prepare them for that very important visit. Here are some tips:

 

Start really early. Do not wait until his or her preschool years before visiting the dentist for the first time. By that time, your child will most probably have a made-up idea of how scary dentists are. How early should you go? As soon as the first set of teeth start to pop up.

 

Our Dentists handle little patients, too. Not that there are dentists who hate kids. It’s just that it would help a lot if the dentist can make your child feel at ease during an appointment. It makes a lot of difference if a dentist is friendly with your kid and exerts effort to make the visit truly pleasant.

 

Set expectations honestly. Not knowing what to expect plays a big part to your child getting all stressed out about a visit to the dentist. You can calm their nerves by telling them about the procedure they’re getting, and perhaps some of your own experiences when you had the same procedure. (Unless you had a traumatic one, of course)

 

Give everything a positive spin. Instead of telling your child that a tooth would be extracted, why not say, the dentist has to make room for his new tooth to grow? You can make things sound easy. Assure your kids that they can do it. Let them know that you’ll be there every step of the way. You can even offer an incentive sometimes!

 

It is important for your child to develop good oral habits so they can keep that happy smile healthier, longer. We, at Pickering Square Dental can help you prepare your child for a visit that is going to be quite enjoyable, too!

 

Helpful Resources

sedation dentistry

For more information, visit the Health Canada Children’s Dental Health.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Contact Pickering Square Dental to book your appointment with Dr. Marvin Lean. Call us at (905) 420-1777 or visit us at 1450 Kingston Rd, Unit #4, Pickering, ON.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I visit the dentist?

The Canadian Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist at least twice a year for regular check-ups and cleanings. Some patients may need more frequent visits depending on their oral health needs. Call Pickering Square Dental at (905) 420-1777 to schedule your next appointment.

Do you accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?

Yes, Pickering Square Dental participates in the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Our team can help you understand your coverage and ensure you receive the dental care you need. Contact us for more details about CDCP eligibility and benefits.

What services does Pickering Square Dental offer?

We offer a full range of dental services including family dentistry, emergency dental care, sedation dentistry, dental implants, laser dentistry, teeth whitening, root canal therapy, dental extractions, periodontal care, and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Lean and our team serve patients in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Scarborough.

Are Your Teeth Ready for Halloween Candies?

Toothbrush and dental hygiene waxed tape mint floss by wash basin at night still life color photo.

Your kids are probably excited about Halloween, what with their great costume, and an even greater selection of Halloween treats they can get when they go Trick or Treating. Of course, you want your child to enjoy! But you do not want as a toothache to affect their memory of this year’s Halloween?

 

Keep your children’s teeth safe from scary cavities this season by considering these tips:

 

Shoo Chewy Candies!

There are candies like caramels, gummies, and taffies that just find their way into the grooves and pits of your kids’ teeth where they stay stuck for a while. These sticky candies get stuck on your teeth and their saliva just can’t wash them away. If a toothbrush is not handy, at least make them drink a glass or a bottle of water to swish away some of the sugars.

 

Eat Now, Treat Later

Never let your child out on an empty stomach, and make sure they have a nutritious meal. When you chew during a meal, it stimulates your saliva which has protective enzymes that can protect teeth against cavities. On top of that, you’ll feel more relaxed knowing that with that full tummy, your child would probably have a smaller room for sweets!

 

Give Away Good Treats

As a parent, you hope your kid would get some teeth-friendly treats when he or she goes Trick or Treating. If that’s the case, then there is no reason for you not to give away those kinds of candies, right? Be the “responsible parent” in your street who hands out sugar-free hard candies, lollipops, and gums. It won’t hurt to throw in a little reminder to brush teeth when you give those treats out.

 

Remember Your Routine

The fact that it is Halloween and your child is tired from Trick or Treating should not keep you from enforcing your usual oral routine at home. If anything, now is the time to spend an extra minute or two when you brush your teeth. Do not forget to floss as this can greatly help in removing sugars that your toothbrush missed.

 

Halloween is a fun holiday that should never be ruined by a terrible toothache. Make sure you let your child know of his or her limitations and responsibilities. Set a limit on the number of candies allowed in a day, and make sure that those tiny teeth are brushed, flossed, and rinsed well before bed time!

 

 


 

Helpful Resources

tooth-colored fillings

For more information, visit the Health Canada Children’s Dental Health.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Contact Pickering Square Dental to book your appointment with Dr. Marvin Lean. Call us at (905) 420-1777 or visit us at 1450 Kingston Rd, Unit #4, Pickering, ON.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I visit the dentist?

The Canadian Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist at least twice a year for regular check-ups and cleanings. Some patients may need more frequent visits depending on their oral health needs. Call Pickering Square Dental at (905) 420-1777 to schedule your next appointment.

Do you accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?

Yes, Pickering Square Dental participates in the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Our team can help you understand your coverage and ensure you receive the dental care you need. Contact us for more details about CDCP eligibility and benefits.

What services does Pickering Square Dental offer?

We offer a full range of dental services including family dentistry, emergency dental care, sedation dentistry, dental implants, laser dentistry, teeth whitening, root canal therapy, dental extractions, periodontal care, and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Lean and our team serve patients in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Scarborough.

Best Oral Practices You Need to Start Doing Now

Best Oral Practices You Need to Start Doing Now — Pickering, ON

When people tell you that you have nice teeth, defiantly do not start taking your teeth for granted. Achieving healthy teeth means you will be taking care of your teeth for the rest of your life. It is essential to take care of your teeth on a regular daily basis. Here are some tips that will help you take care of your teeth the proper way:

 

Don’t go to bed without brushing your teeth.

The recommended times of brushing your teeth is at least twice a day. However, many of us continue to neglect brushing our teeth at night – before going to bed. Brushing our teeth at this time gets rid of the germs and plaque that have accumulated all throughout the day and will literally sit in our mouth hard at work while you sleep!

 

Brush and floss properly.

The way you brush and floss your teeth plays an important role in maintaining good oral health practices. In fact, brushing your teeth poorly is almost as bad as not brushing at all. When you are brushing your teeth, make sure you take time to move your toothbrush in gentle, circular motions – this removes the plaque. Remember that failure to remove plaque can lead to its hardening and build-up. When it builds up, it might lead to gingivitis. Flossing is best done before brushing your teeth. Flossing is not just getting rid of food that gets stuck in between the teeth. It’s also a way to stimulate the gums, help lower inflammation in the area, and reduce plaque.  Learning, practicing, regular and routine brushing and flossing techniques for life will aid in all sorts of dental concerns.

 

Don’t forget to take care of your tongue and cheeks.

Plaque does not just build up on the teeth; it also does on the tongue and even your cheeks. This does not just lead to bad breath, but it might also lead to other oral health problems. Make it a habit that after brushing your teeth, you gently brush your tongue and cheeks (inside your mouth), too. Make sure that you do not leave any toothpaste residue in your mouth. If you find this uncomfortable, you can use a ‘tongue scraper’ to avoid from gagging when you clean your tongue.

 

Use fluoride-filled toothpaste.

When it comes to choosing which toothpaste to use, make sure that it contains fluoride. Fluoride is a leading defense against tooth decay. It fights off germs that can lead to tooth decay, and it also provides a protective barrier for your teeth.

 

Hydrate throughout the day.

Water is still the best beverage for our overall health – this includes your oral health. It is recommended to drink water after each meal as this helps wash out some of the negative effects of acidic and sticky foods and beverages in between brushing and flossing.

 

Limit sugary and acidic foods and beverages.

Sugar converts into acid in the mouth, and this causes erosion of teeth enamel. These acids are what actually lead to cavities. Acidic fruits, coffee and tea can also wear down tooth enamel. You don’t have to avoid all these foods and drinks, but you just have to take the necessary precautions needed to lessen their damaging effects on the teeth.

Helpful Resources

Teeth Whitening

For more information, visit the Canadian Dental Association Oral Health.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Contact Pickering Square Dental to book your appointment with Dr. Marvin Lean. Call us at (905) 420-1777 or visit us at 1450 Kingston Rd, Unit #4, Pickering, ON.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I visit the dentist?

The Canadian Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist at least twice a year for regular check-ups and cleanings. Some patients may need more frequent visits depending on their oral health needs. Call Pickering Square Dental at (905) 420-1777 to schedule your next appointment.

Do you accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?

Yes, Pickering Square Dental participates in the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Our team can help you understand your coverage and ensure you receive the dental care you need. Contact us for more details about CDCP eligibility and benefits.

What services does Pickering Square Dental offer?

We offer a full range of dental services including family dentistry, emergency dental care, sedation dentistry, dental implants, laser dentistry, teeth whitening, root canal therapy, dental extractions, periodontal care, and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Lean and our team serve patients in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Scarborough.

Why DIY Dentistry Is Something You Should Avoid

DIY dentistry is now a growing phenomenon throughout the country, as Canadians seek alternative means of completing their required treatments. It’s important to understand why DIY dentistry is so dangerous. And so within this post, we’ll examine the many problems that you can cause with a DIY approach to oral care.

You Can Easily Miss Vital Treatment Stages

Even with the leading DIY kits on the market, it’s very easy for you to miss vital stages in the treatment process. For example, there have been cases of people trying to complete their own fillings at home. When completing this type of process, you can easily miss a small piece of dental decay or plaque. This material can then remain under the newly placed filling and cause even further problems that could have been resolved by simply going to the dentist in the first place.
Learn more about frequently asked questions.

You Don’t Know How to Respond in an Emergency

In some cases, patients can experience an emergency in the dental chair when they have a bad reaction to a specific product being used in their treatment. Dentists are trained to respond to this type of scenario and can ensure your safety if you experience this type of problem. But if you’re completing the treatment at home, you won’t have expert help to guide you through the process, meaning that you could suffer a significant health issue without a trained professional there to respond.

You Might Choose the Wrong Treatment

Dentists are trained to spot specific oral health issues. They can tell you whether you have an abscess or a cavity, whether you require a filling or a root canal… But in some cases, those who have committed their time to DIY dentistry have even worked on the wrong tooth. They’ve extracted the tooth next to the problem tooth and caused themselves a new series of problems. It’s simpler and more cost-effective in the long-term to simply work with a dentist to resolve your oral health issues.

To learn more on this subject, contact our team directly! We’re always delighted to discuss your dental health concerns and show you that dental treatment doesn’t have to be a difficult experience. 

Helpful Resources

Sedation Dentistry

For more information, visit the Canadian Dental Association Oral Health.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Contact Pickering Square Dental to book your appointment with Dr. Marvin Lean. Call us at (905) 420-1777 or visit us at 1450 Kingston Rd, Unit #4, Pickering, ON.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I visit the dentist?

The Canadian Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist at least twice a year for regular check-ups and cleanings. Some patients may need more frequent visits depending on their oral health needs. Call Pickering Square Dental at (905) 420-1777 to schedule your next appointment.

Do you accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?

Yes, Pickering Square Dental participates in the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Our team can help you understand your coverage and ensure you receive the dental care you need. Contact us for more details about CDCP eligibility and benefits.

What services does Pickering Square Dental offer?

We offer a full range of dental services including family dentistry, emergency dental care, sedation dentistry, dental implants, laser dentistry, teeth whitening, root canal therapy, dental extractions, periodontal care, and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Lean and our team serve patients in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Scarborough.