Dental Home Care Tips in Guelph
– What you eat and drink, and when
– Habits that protect your teeth
– Simple monthly self checks
You spend maybe an hour or two a year in a dental chair. The other 8,700 or so hours are up to you. That’s why dental home care has more influence on your teeth and gums than anything we do at the office. Brushing and cleaning between your teeth are the foundation, and we cover technique on a separate page. Here we want to talk about everything around that: what and when you eat, how saliva protects you, everyday habits that quietly damage teeth and a few things you can check yourself between visits. These are the tips our Guelph Royal Dental Centre team finds most useful for patients in Guelph.
The daily basics, in brief
Just so we’re all starting from the same place, a solid daily routine looks like this:
- Brush twice a day for two minutes with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste
- Clean between your teeth once a day with floss, interdental brushes or a water flosser
- Spit after brushing instead of rinsing, so fluoride stays on your teeth longer
- Replace your toothbrush or brush head every three months
Everything else on this page builds on those four habits.
What you eat and drink, and when
Frequency matters more than amount
Every time you have something sugary or starchy, bacteria in plaque produce acid for roughly 20 to 30 minutes. That acid pulls minerals out of your enamel. Saliva then slowly repairs the damage. Problems start when the repair never gets a chance to catch up. A single dessert after dinner is far easier on your teeth than sipping a sweet coffee over two hours or grazing on crackers all afternoon.
Watch the sneaky sugars
Some of the hardest foods on teeth don’t seem like treats at all. Dried fruit, granola bars, flavoured yogurts, sports drinks and juice can all hold a lot of sugar, and sticky foods cling in the grooves of back teeth for a long time. You don’t have to cut them out. Just try to have them with a meal rather than on their own.
Acid wears enamel too
Pop, including diet versions, energy drinks, citrus, kombucha and wine are acidic enough to soften enamel directly. Over years this can lead to erosion: teeth that look thinner, more yellow or more sensitive. A few simple changes help:
- Drink acidic drinks with food, not on their own throughout the day
- Use a straw for pop or iced drinks to reduce contact with front teeth
- Rinse with plain water afterwards
- Wait about half an hour before brushing so you don’t brush away softened enamel
Foods that help
Cheese, plain yogurt, nuts, eggs and crunchy vegetables are all good choices for snacks. Cheese in particular helps neutralise acid. Plain water is the best drink for your teeth by a long way.
Saliva, your built in defence
Saliva washes away food, neutralises acid and carries minerals that repair early damage to enamel. When there isn’t enough of it, cavities can develop quickly, especially along the gumline and around old fillings. Dry mouth is common and has many causes: medications for blood pressure, allergies, depression and many other conditions; breathing through your mouth; dehydration; and some medical treatments.
If your mouth often feels dry, try sipping water through the day, chewing sugar free gum or sucking sugar free lozenges, using a humidifier at night and cutting back on caffeine and alcohol. Tell us about it at your next visit, because we may recommend a higher strength fluoride toothpaste or other products to protect your teeth.
Habits that protect your teeth
Don’t use your teeth as tools
Opening packages, tearing tape, cracking nuts or holding a pen between your teeth all put sudden, uneven force on enamel. Chips and cracks from these habits are something we see more often than you might think.
Take clenching and grinding seriously
Many people grind or clench at night without knowing it. Signs include sore jaw muscles in the morning, headaches at the temples, flat or chipped edges on teeth and sensitivity. A custom night guard spreads the force and protects your teeth. If a partner has mentioned hearing you grind, let us know.
Wear a mouthguard for sport
Hockey, soccer, basketball, martial arts and even mountain biking all carry a real risk of dental injury. A properly fitted mouthguard is much more comfortable than a boil and bite one, so people are more likely to actually wear it.
Quit smoking and vaping
Tobacco stains teeth, but the bigger issue is what it does to gums. It’s one of the strongest risk factors for gum disease and it slows healing. If you’re trying to quit, we’re happy to support you.
Simple monthly self checks
Once a month, take a minute in good light with a mirror and look for:
- Gums that are red, puffy or bleed easily
- Gums pulling back from any teeth
- New dark spots, chips or cracks
- Sores, white or red patches, or lumps on your tongue, cheeks, lips or the floor of your mouth
- Any sore that hasn’t healed within two weeks
Most changes turn out to be nothing serious. But anything that lasts longer than a couple of weeks is worth showing us.
Looking after dental work at home
Fillings, crowns, bridges, implants and dentures all last longer with the right care. The tooth under a crown can still decay along the edge, so cleaning the gumline around it matters just as much as it does for natural teeth. Bridges need a floss threader or special floss to clean under the false tooth. Implants need gentle, thorough cleaning around the base to keep the gum healthy.
If you wear a denture or a partial, take it out at night to give your gums a rest, brush it daily with a denture brush and keep it in water or a soaking solution so it doesn’t dry out and warp. Brush your gums, tongue and any remaining teeth too. And if a denture starts to rub or feel loose, don’t adjust it yourself. Bring it in so we can take a look.
Home care for kids
Children copy what they see, so brushing alongside them is one of the easiest ways to build the habit. Help with brushing until they have the dexterity to do it well on their own, usually around age seven or eight. Avoid putting babies to bed with a bottle of milk or juice, and keep sweet drinks for mealtimes. Bring your child for their first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth.
Home care questions
Is mouthwash necessary?
Not for everyone. A fluoride rinse can help if you get frequent cavities. If you’re not sure, ask us whether a rinse would add anything for you.
Are whitening toothpastes safe?
Most are fine for occasional use, but some are fairly abrasive. If your teeth are sensitive or you’ve noticed gum recession, stick with a regular fluoride toothpaste.
How often should I see the dentist if I have good home care?
Most people do well with a checkup and cleaning every six months. Some people need visits more often, and we’ll let you know if that applies to you.
Pair good home care with regular visits in Guelph
Good habits at home and regular professional cleanings work best together. If you have questions about your routine, your diet or a habit you’re worried about, our team at Guelph Royal Dental Centre on Douglas Street in downtown Guelph is glad to help. Call 519-837-1870 to book your next checkup.
Related treatments
Questions or ready to book? Contact our Guelph office or call 519-837-1870.