Blog Post

5 Steps to spring clean your dental care routine

Spring is on the horizon (amen) which means it’s the perfect time to revisit your dental health routine and give your oral health and smile a spring clean. Duxton Dental’s Riccarton dental clinic patients are well-versed with how oral health is an essential part of maintaining your overall health and wellbeing, but we appreciate bad habits can sneak in particularly with the lethargy the winter months bring. So, to help you refresh your dental care routine, here are 5 tips to get you back on the straight and narrow.

#1 Book a dental checkup

Even if you are not experiencing any problems with your teeth or gums, schedule a routine appointment. Regular dental check-ups help identify any potential problems that are developing before they escalate into a more serious issue. With thanks to the technology Duxton Dental use, our Christchurch dentists track and monitor your oral health to prevent dental issues and identify the best dental treatment for you.

#2 Revisit your brushing and flossing

At the heart of every successful dental care routine is efficient brushing and flossing. Does your toothbrush need to be replaced? Have your flossing standards slipped? It’s crucial to brush your teeth at least twice a day and use floss or interdental brushes to prevent a buildup of bacteria and food particles which cause tooth decay if left. The best way to reduce the need of dental treatment is to go back to basics and perfect your brushing and flossing technique. If you are referred to Duxton Dental’s Christchurch dental hygienist, you will receive fantastic advice and guidance to optimise your oral health, especially for those hard to reach areas.

#3 Switch to healthier foods and snacks

Spring is typically the time of year when attention is turned towards getting bikini ready for summer. Healthy eating is not just good for your body shape it also significantly helps with your oral health. Crunchy fruits and vegetables are natural teeth cleaners. The motion of eating them stimulates saliva production which helps to remove food particles and bacteria. Plus, they contain important minerals and vitamins to elevate oral health.

#4 Book an appointment with your cosmetic dentist

If you are intent on getting your smile summer ready, now is the time to book an appointment with your local Christchurch cosmetic dentist. Whether you would like professional teeth whitening or wish to explore whether Invisalign treatment is the best to straighten teeth, a cosmetic dentist restores your smile for the long term.

#5 Keep hydrated

If you are feeling thirsty, you are dehydrated. Keeping hydrated (especially as the weather starts to get warmer) is important for all our bodily functions, but drinking water is also an easy way to help keep your teeth and gums healthy. A drink of water not only washes away the detritus of mealtimes, but it also plays an important role in diluting the acid from plaque, food, and drinks. Drinking water minimises the opportunity for stains and bad breath while protecting your tooth enamel.

If you have any concerns or questions about how to care for your teeth and gums or how to optimise your oral health, come and see us at Duxton Dental clinics in Christchurch. Our friendly team of Riccarton dentists have vast experience of helping patients achieve their best smile. Call 03 348 5488 or click here to make an appointment.

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A close up of a woman 's smile with white teeth and pink lips.

How to keep the whiteness of your whitened teeth

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Once you've made the investment in a brighter, whiter smile through professional teeth whitening , you'll notice the immediate boost it gives to your confidence and self-esteem. While the joy of an improved and radiant smile is long lasting, it is not permanent. It can last from as short as a couple of months to up to 3 years – it varies from person to person but also the lifestyle choices they make. If you had your cosmetic dental treatment with us at Duxton Dental’s clinic in Riccarton, you will know (in great detail) about how to maintain your newly whitened teeth. However, not all cosmetic dentists are as obsessed with aftercare. Here’s a summary of the maintenance information we give to help keep that sparkly smile for longer: Aftercare: 72 hours after you’ve whitened your teeth Teeth have a protective layer called the acquired pellicle and it is on the pellicle where stains on your teeth are found. During the teeth whitening process, this natural barrier is removed which means they are vulnerable to fresh staining. For the pellicle to develop again it takes between 12 to 24 hours. It’s best to avoid consuming anything that would stain a white shirt, this includes, but is not limited to: · Coffee · Colas · Red sauces including ketchup · Mustards · Soy sauce Eat only white and clear foods and drinks and avoid anything acid based for the first 72 hours. If you eat something dark, brush your teeth and rinse your mouth afterwards. If you are unable to do so, chew some sugar-free gum within 20 minutes. The saliva produced helps remove food and drink debris, neutralise acids in the mouth and help reduce any whitening-induced tooth sensitivity. During the first 72 hours, your teeth are more vulnerable to tooth decay as well as staining, so be vigilant to the food and drink you are consuming. Here’s some examples of foods and drinks you can eat: · Milk and water · Bananas and apples with the peel removed · White bread and flour tortillas · Oatmeal, cream of wheat · Plain yoghurt, sour cream, and cottage cheese · White rice or baked potato · Plain pasta with a white sauce

A young girl wearing glasses is holding a model of teeth and braces.

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