Dentists have a wealth of knowledge about oral health, but it can be hard for them to get that knowledge across to their patients. Here are five things dentists wish more patients knew that could help them maintain better oral health:

1. The Power of a Story

Children love stories. Why not make them informative and educational as well? Create a fun story about your child’s teeth, with the protagonist being a bright and shiny tooth. Explain how food and drinks can cause the tooth to turn dull and eventually lead to cavities. End the story with some tips on how to keep their teeth clean by brushing, flossing, and eating healthy foods.

2. Use a Timer

Brushing for a full two minutes can seem like an eternity to a child. Make it a fun game by using a timer. You can use a physical sand timer, a YouTube video that counts down two minutes, or an electric toothbrush with a built-in timer. The key is to make brushing time a fun activity and something that the child looks forward to and feels proud about.

3. Make Brushing a Family Affair

Children are more likely to adopt healthy habits when they see their parents following the same routine. Make brushing and flossing a family activity and a time for bonding. Create a “brushing station” in the bathroom where everyone can brush their teeth together. You can also sing a song or narrate a story while brushing, adding an extra element of fun.

4. Let the Child Choose Their Toothbrush and Toothpaste

Giving your child a choice in the type of toothbrush and toothpaste they use can go a long way in making brushing time more enjoyable. You can even take them to the store and let them choose their toothbrush and toothpaste within a set budget. Remind your child that they are responsible for taking care of their teeth and that they need to choose wisely.

5. Make Healthy Food Fun

Food is a significant contributor to dental health. Encourage your child to choose healthy snacks such as fruits, vegetables, and cheese over sugary snacks. Use cookie cutters to cut fruits and veggies into fun shapes or add food coloring to yogurt to make it more fun to eat. A creative food presentation can make healthy eating a fun activity for kids.

By incorporating these easy and creative ways into your child’s daily routine, cavity prevention can become a fun and enjoyable activity for your child. Remember that early dental care can lead to a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, and to help, we are hosting our 2nd Portraits in the Park Fundraiser + TREC Family Picnic.

We would love for you to join us, so please RSVP with your information below.  Family Portrait Mini Sessions will be available with a minimum donation of $50.  A tax receipt will be provided and all proceeds will be donated to the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation.

We don’t know about you, but we often wish our teeth were just a little whiter when we are reviewing our team photos.  That said, we decided to see what ‘people also ask’ Google when researching teeth whitening.  From there, we sat down with a local Calgary dentist, Dr. Jan Jaffer, and asked him the following:

• What causes yellow teeth?
• What is the best way to whiten your teeth?
• What types of teeth whitening are available?
• Is teeth whitening bad for your teeth?
• Is it possible to whiten your teeth in one day?
• How long does teeth whitening last?
• How much does teeth whitening cost?

What causes yellow teeth?

Yellow teeth are caused in part by genetics as we all have different colors of teeth.  How our teeth change over time is based on what we actually end up eating or drinking.  For example coffee, soda, red wine and even red pasta sauces can cause some staining on the teeth.

What is the best way to whiten your teeth?

The best way to whiten your teeth is using some sort of bleaching product.  Many people have tried whitening toothpastes and baking soda but at the end of the day the bleach that you can get from your dental office or pharmacy tends to be the safest.

What types of teeth whitening are available?

The types of teeth whitening available include white strips from the pharmacy, take home bleaching kits from your dental office and in-office bleaching.  Essentially, how acidic the bleach is determines how powerful it ends up being on your teeth.  Ultimately the quality and strength of bleach is important in determining how white your teeth are going to get and how long the results will end up lasting.

Is teeth whitening bad for your teeth?

When used in moderation, teeth whitening is not bad for your teeth.  I like to explain teeth whitening like bleaching clothes, to some extent.  Putting a small amount of bleach in your washing machine to brighten clothes is fine however bleaching every day or using large amounts will cause some damage.  The bleaches that you are getting from your dental office are safe and removing surface stains and not getting inside of the teeth or weakening them, depending again on how much you’re using and how often.

Is it possible to whiten your teeth in one day?

Yes, it can be possible to whiten your teeth in one day depending on the status of your oral health.  There are some types of bleach where you can come into a dental office and they can do a couple of different sessions in the same day to really achieve a marked difference from the start to the finish in just a couple of hours.

How long does teeth whitening last?

Teeth whitening results can last between 6 to 12 months.  We recommend that our patients are bleaching their teeth every 6 to 12 months, but again not every day.  You typically bleach your teeth first the most.  By that I mean, if you get some take home bleach, you may use it for 4 – 10 days in a row initially and then consider a single tube of bleach every 6 – 12 months, depending on your coffee or red wine intake.   

Can I use peroxide and baking soda to whiten my teeth?

When looking at different types of teeth whitening material, we use hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide for our active ingredients in the bleach.  Many people try baking soda or activated charcoal and when you are using those, you are actually just trying to scrub off the surface of the tooth.  This doesn’t actually work that well and we want to ensure that we are not causing damage to the tooth or gums with abrasive materials, so the bleach really is the safest option.

How much does teeth whitening cost?

The cost of teeth whitening can range between $50 – $500.  If you are looking at something over the counter, such as whitening strips, these range between $50 – $100.  Whereas take home bleach from our dental offices costs $150 and our in-office whitening typically ranges between $400 – $500.

How can I find out more information about teeth whitening and what option would be best for me?

You can visit https://trecdental.com/#locations to find an office near you and request a New Patient Examination appointment.  For optimal results, we do recommend that you’ve had your teeth professionally cleaned prior to whitening them.

Disclaimer:  This post is for informational purposes only and not intended as professional medical advice.  To see if teeth whitening is a suitable option for you, please book an appointment with a licensed oral health care provider.  Images are provided for informational purposes only.  Individual results will vary and not all patients are candidates for treatment.