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Taking Care of Your Toothbrush | Ottawa Dentist

As important as it is to keep your teeth brushed and cared for, did you know that it is equally as important to keep your toothbrush well-maintained? The oral cavity is home to a multitude of microorganisms, which can most definitely be transferred onto your toothbrush as you brush your teeth. Here are some tips to make sure your toothbrush remains effective:

Refrain from sharing your toothbrush with anyone. Sharing a toothbrush could result in the exchange of body fluids and or microorganisms between users, ultimately leaving teeth more prone to infections of some sort.

Rinse your toothbrush with water after brushing. This is to remove any toothpaste and debris in order to keep your toothbrush clean. Afterwards, store your toothbrush upright and allow it to air dry before you use it again.

Replace your toothbrush every three to four months. The bristles become frayed upon frequent use and therefore it’s overall effectiveness in cleaning your teeth decrease. If you catch a cold, replace your toothbrush once you’re back on your feet. Keeping a toothbrush after a cold could possibly cause that cold to return.

It isn’t difficult to keep your dental tools in tip top shape in order to clean your teeth to the best of its ability. At your next checkup, ask your dentist about other ways to effectively use your toothbrush, as well as for some tips on how to maintain, store, and care for it. After all, they are the experts; they’re going to lead you on the right path to a gorgeous, healthy smile.

For more information about toothbrush maintenance, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit www.ottawadentistryonkent.com.

Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serve patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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Pediatric Dental Care for New Parents | Ottawa Dentist

Many parents believe that the best time to establish good dental hygiene habits is right when their child’s first tooth appears. In actuality, the best time to start taking care of your child’s teeth is the moment that your child is born. Because even without teeth, bacteria can and will build up. To prevent this from happening, the routine is simple – wipe your baby’s gums with a soft damp cloth after every feeding. Once your child’s teeth develop and break through the gums, it’s time to start brushing. Do it twice a day. Use a soft children’s toothbrush and minimal to non-fluoride toothpaste. As they reach preschool-age, feel free to start using fluoride toothpaste. But remember – too much fluoride toothpaste can leave permanent stains on the teeth.

We all know kids love sugar – try to keep their favorites as something special, not something expected. But that’s not all; there are other circumstances, like being born with low birth weight or premature, ongoing treatment for any special health care needs, brown areas and white spots on the teeth and infrequent trips to the dentist can all lead to the development of cavities.

To stop this from happening, start teaching your family good dental hygiene habits. Everyone needs to be involved in order to get the habit to stick. Other family members can pass on cavity-causing bacteria to both children and babies, so every family member has to make an effort to take care of their teeth properly.

When it comes to baby’s first dental visit, most dental practitioners agree that parents should take their children in for an appointment as soon as their first tooth pops out, but no longer than the child’s first birthday.

For more information about pediatric dental care, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit www.ottawadentistryonkent.com.

Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serve patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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Straightening Things Out Early | Ottawa Dentist

We all want what’s best for our children, especially when it comes to their health. And having a healthy mouth is how to prevent many health issues from arising, because our mouth is our first line of defense against many of our overall health issues. And as new parents, instilling a proper dental hygiene routine is paramount in order to get our children used to the process of keeping up proper dental hygiene throughout their lives. But what if you could also ensure that orthodontic work won’t be an issue as they loose baby teeth and permanent teeth grow in? Now you can – with the Myobrace® System.

There are four advantages to this pre-orthodontic treatment guaranteed to remedy major habits that children may develop as they grow and these habits can lead to various dental issues, including crooked teeth and jaw issues:

  • Breathe through the nose
  • Correct tongue resting position
  • Swallow correctly
  • Keep the lips together

With the Myobrace® System, you can curtail these bad habits by fixing the issue from the very beginning. We’re talking by the age of three. Yes, this treatment option consists of four intra-oral appliances that need to be worn an hour a day, and while sleeping. This series will benefit a different issue: habit correction, arch development, dental alignment and retention. These appliances will train your child’s mouth to correct poor habits that can not only lead to dental issues, but also sleep issues. And with a proper arch development, permanent teeth will have a clear access to come in straight and without issue.

Being a parent is hard work, why not get a head start on some things, like your child’s dental future?

For more information about the Myobrace® System, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit www.ottawadentistryonkent.com.

Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serve patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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It Happens in Threes | Ottawa Dentist

We have all heard the phrase “it happens in threes”, and it’s generally never meant for anything nice. We all want to be healthy and safe so that we aren’t considered in the next unfortunate set of three. And one way to ensure that you aren’t involved in the next bad luck trio is to look after your dental health. Because our oral health is very important to our health overall. You may not be aware but according to the Canadian Dental Association, seven out of ten Canadians will develop some form of gum disease in their lifetimes. 70% will have this issue, but only if they are lax on their daily dental duties.

Knowledge is power and this is no different. Gum disease is caused by bacteria found in plaque, the sticky colorless film that forms on your teeth. If this plaque isn’t removed by proper oral hygiene habits, plaque will build up and the bacteria will infect every aspect of your mouth. There are three stages of gum disease and each affect your mouth differently: gingivitis, periodontitis and advanced periodontitis.

Gingivitis. This is the inflammation of your gums and teeth that’s caused by plaque buildup at your gum line. This is the only stage of gum disease that can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue are not yet affected.

Periodontitis. Once periodontitis occurs, the supporting bone and tissues structures are irreversibly damaged. Your gums will start to form pockets below your gum line, which traps plaque and food.

Advanced Periodontitis. This is the final stage of gum disease, where the tissue structures and supporting bones are destroyed, which can cause you teeth to shift and loosen, affecting your bite.

For more information about gum disease prevention, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit www.ottawadentistryonkent.com.

Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serve patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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The Changing of the Toothbrush Guard | Ottawa Dentist

We know that having a healthy mouth is important for many reasons. It’s aesthetically pleasing, it prevents bad breath and other dental maladies and because it is our first line of defense, it helps keep our overall health in check. That’s why it’s important to know that while your dentist is the professional at keeping your teeth clean and healthy, most of the work depends on you and your daily habits. The more you work to prevent bacteria from settling in your mouth and causing damage, the better off your dental checkups are every year. Because our dental health starts with brushing, let’s take a look at how to care for our friend the toothbrush…

Bacteria are our mouth’s natural enemy. And the best way to limit the bacteria in your mouth is to brush your teeth. How do we do this? With a toothbrush. But brushing your teeth is not enough. The best way to keep those cavity creeps away is to replace your toothbrush on a regular basis. In fact, dental professionals will recommend changing out your toothbrush every three to four months. If you use an electric toothbrush, throw out the head just as often. And if the bristles become frayed, you’re sick, or you have a weak immune system, throw it out frequently.

Every time you’re tempted to skip brushing and flossing your teeth, remember how many bacteria lurk in your mouth – and that they cause gum disease, and decay, and bad breath. Make sure you’re brushing and flossing as often as possible to eliminate some of those bacteria. Rinsing your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash before or after brushing can also help reduce plaque-causing bacteria that can lead to gum disease. Happy brushing!

For more information about caring for your toothbrush, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit www.ottawadentistryonkent.com.

Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serve patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.