Brushing

• Brush your teeth twice a day with a CDA-accepted fluoride toothpaste. Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won't do a good job of cleaning your teeth.
• Clean between teeth daily with floss or an inter-dental brush. Decay–causing bacteria still linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. This helps remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.
• Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks.
• Visit your Ottawa family dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams.

Antimicrobial mouth rinses and toothpastes reduce the bacterial count and inhibit bacterial activity in dental plaque, which can cause gingivitis, an early, reversible form of periodontal (gum) disease. Fluoride mouth rinses and toothpaste help reduce and prevent tooth decay. Clinical studies have demonstrated that use of a fluoride mouth rinse and fluoride toothpaste can provide extra protection against tooth decay over that provided by fluoride toothpaste alone. Fluoride mouth rinse is not recommended for children age six or younger because they may swallow the rinse. Consumers should always check the manufacturer’s label for precautions and age recommendations and talk with their Ottawa Family Dentist about the use of fluoride mouth rinse.

Talk to your dentist at Blackburn Shoppes Dental Centre about what types of oral care products will be most effective for you. The CDA Seal on a product is your assurance that it has met CDA criteria for safety and effectiveness. Look for the CDA Seal on fluoride toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, inter-dental brush, oral irrigators, mouth rinses and other oral hygiene products.