Oral hygiene tips, from Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics

Brushing and flossing after every meal and snack is the only way to prevent plaque build up, tooth decay, and gum disease. Especially during treatment your teeth will need extra care. Our goal is for you to have a beautiful healthy smile, with straight white teeth and in order for this to occur good hygiene is very important. Food and particles can be trapped by brackets, wires, bands and appliances, and this can make it difficult to keep your teeth clean. Using a waterpik is an additional way to clean teeth and gums. Here are a few tips to help with keeping your teeth clean and healthy:

1. Brush after every meal and snack
2. Floss daily to remove trapped food and particles
3. Rinse with a mouth wash to kill any bacteria
4. Brush with a fluoride toothpaste and a soft bristled tooth brush
5. Clean teeth with a proxabrush
6. Maintain regular check-ups with your general dentist

Ask Dr. Bernard: Why are regular dental checkups so important during orthodontic treatment?

Thanks for the question. If you're brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing during your orthodontic treatment, that’s great! But, don’t forget that it’s also important to visit your general dentist every six months in addition to your visits to our North Canton office. Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health. Your dentist can:

• Check for problems that might not be seen or felt
• Detect cavities and early signs of decay
• Treat oral health problems early
• Show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth

During an oral exam the doctor will check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, it’s definitely time to schedule an appointment! If you don't have a general dentist, just ask us - Drs. Bernard & Eimer know plenty of great dentists in the greater Canton area!

We hope you have a great weekend!

Softly Brushing Your Way to Clean Teeth

Just as there are so many different types of toothbrushes to choose from, each brush also has a different type of bristle! There are generally three different types of bristles; hard, medium, and soft. We always recommend that our patients, especially children and seniors, use a soft bristled toothbrush.

Using a hard and medium bristled brush can actually harm your teeth and gums by stripping the enamel from the teeth and irritating the gums so that they become red and sore, and can even cause gum recession. If you do use a hard or medium bristled brush as a personal preference, we recommend using an electric toothbrush.

Soft bristles are much gentler on your teeth and gums, and while patients of all ages are recommended to use soft bristled brushes, they are particularly great for children, seniors, patients recovering from a dental procedure, and patients wearing braces.

Soft bristles, and even extra-soft bristles are every bit as effective when it comes to cleaning your teeth; in fact, if you currently use a hard or medium bristled brush, try a soft bristled brush next time you buy a toothbrush and we bet you won’t even notice a difference!

Drs. Bernard & Eimer, Orthodontists in North Canton, Ohio

National Dental Hygiene Month

Did you know that October is National Dental Hygiene Month? Fall is here, and Halloween is coming soon, but now it is more important than ever to maintain good oral hygiene.

All those sweet, sour and sticky candies may taste great, but these treats can damage your teeth and braces too! Did you know sour candies can be acidic to your teeth, and actually wear down the enamel that protects them? This can cause tooth decay and cavities! After eating these candies, be sure to wash your mouth out with water, drink milk or eat a few slices of cheese. These will help neutralize the acid in your mouth (wait at least one hour before brushing your teeth with toothpaste, as this can actually increase the effects of acid on your teeth)

Besides cavities and tooth decay, many people do not realize that good oral health and hygiene are important to your overall health too! Research is discovering the connection between periodontal disease and other major health concerns, such as heart disease! Therefore, it is important to maintain a good oral hygiene routine: see your dentist every six months, brush and floss daily and use an antibacterial mouthwash.

Make a resolution to improve your oral health for October, the National Dental Hygiene Month!

--Drs. Bernard & Eimer