Oral hygiene is essential for preventing tooth decay. Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily help to remove plaque and bacteria that over time can cause decay to develop. In addition to these daily habits, it is also important to schedule regular dental check-ups and cleanings.

Tooth decay, also known as cavities, is caused by the build-up of plaque on teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth and produces acid that can erode tooth enamel if not regularly removed. Brushing and flossing regularly can help remove plaque and prevent tooth decay.

Schedule a dental appointment today to check the status of your teeth.

You want your trick or treat fun on Halloween night, not after the party is over. The last thing you want after a night of fun, dressing up and surgery treats are your teeth playing tricks on you.

Splurging as a one off for Halloween is fine as long as you are a regular tooth brusher and flosser. If, however, you are not, then be prepared for the tricks your teeth can play on you.

Those surgery treats will be all the bacteria in your mouth want for a little thrill. The natural bacteria in your mouth go into overdrive when there is leftover food and drink. Over time and unless you maintain good oral hygiene, that bacteria create mayhem for your teeth. That is when tooth decay happens as the bacteria creates a sticky layer of plaque. It is this plaque that damages the surface of your teeth.

If you are going to indulge then you might want to eat chocolate as chocolate is easier to wash off your teeth. Sticky candy, hard candy, or sour candy, those other popular treats for Halloween stick around in the mouth longer and gives that cavity-causing bacteria more time to work.

Remember, good oral hygiene is always in fashion and not just for Halloween!

Maintaining good oral hygiene takes among other things, regularly brushing your teeth. Tell me something I don´t know, you may say.

Dental associations around the world recommend brushing your teeth twice a day, for two minutes each time. That means brush after breakfast for two minutes and again at night for another two minutes. That is a whopping four minutes out of your day and yet not everyone follows this recommendation. More people than you might think actually go through the day only brushing once. While that is better than not brushing at all which is essentially 2% of the population, it actually increases your chances of incurring costly dental treatment later on.

Brushing your teeth twice a day as is suggested by dental professionals has a few advantages, it saves the embarrassment of having bad breath and stained teeth.

By brushing only once a day:

1. Cavities are almost a certainty and that increases your risk by 33%. When you brush your teeth, it helps to remove food particles and the sticky substance containing bacteria that forms on your teeth called plaque. This bacteria-containing plaque produces acid which attack tooth enamel and if not removed causes cavities.

2. Increases your chance of getting gum disease – only brushing once every 24 hours creates a feast for the existing bacteria in your mouth. The plaque that isn’t removed hardens and becomes tartar which makes it harder to keep the teeth clean. Tartar build-up on your gums leads to inflammation and bleeding gums that causes gum disease. This is also known as periodontal disease.

3. Can lead to more dental treatment. Needing a one-off filling is one thing and can happen to the best of us, but brushing only once a day almost guarantees more fillings and bigger fillings. Sometimes the tooth is decayed to the point of needing root canal treatment or a crown. Those costs can be avoided by adding another two minutes a day to your brushing routine.

One of the best ways to care for your teeth and gums is simple. Regular brushing. And that means twice a day. After meals.

Adding flossing to your routine is also beneficial, but that is for another day.

Yes, flossing helps to remove plaque and debris from between the teeth and along the gumline, where a toothbrush cannot reach. This can help to reduce inflammation and bleeding in the gums, prevent tooth decay and gum disease, and promote overall oral health. It is important to floss daily and use proper technique to achieve the best results.

A 2006 study published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology found that brushing alone was not as effective at reducing bleeding gums as brushing and flossing together. The study included 51 sets of twins, and researchers found that twin pairs who flossed in addition to brushing had significantly less bleeding on probing (a measure of gum health) than those who only brushed. This suggests that flossing can help to reduce inflammation and bleeding in the gums, and is an important part of maintaining oral health.

Many people who suffer from sensitive or bleeding gums may be tempted to avoid flossing for fear of making their gums bleed more. The fact is, flossing can improve the health of your gums and as a result helps to prevent them from bleeding.

The fact is, flossing daily, together with brushing and rinsing, helps protect against gingivitis by removing plaque and food particles. This helps keep your teeth and gums healthy, while giving you a beautiful smile.

You want a beautiful smile no matter your age? Floss!

During pregnancy, it is important for women to maintain good oral hygiene and to schedule regular dental check-ups / dental examinations.

Pregnancy can cause changes in the mouth, such as an increase in plaque and gingivitis, due to hormonal changes. This can lead to an increased risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease. Additionally, pregnancy can also cause morning sickness, which can lead to increased acid in the mouth and tooth erosion.

It is important for pregnant women to brush and floss regularly, as well as to use fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash. They should also avoid sugary and acidic foods and drinks.

It is generally safe for pregnant women to receive routine dental treatment, but it is important to let the dentist know that you are pregnant, so they can take the necessary precautions.

If you are planning on getting pregnant, schedule a dental appointment as you would a medical appointment to ensure that you have good oral health as well as good general health.