Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential for all, but especially crucial during adolescence and young adulthood. This time of life often presents unique challenges, like a busy lifestyle, increased independence, and a diet filled with convenience foods, which can make regular dental cleaning and proper oral care a bit more complex. However, with the proper habits and approach, any teenager or college student can enjoy healthy teeth and gums. Here are ten unique oral care tips designed to help navigate the path to optimal oral hygiene.
Top 10 tips for students!
- Consistent Dental Cleaning: The importance of regular and thorough dental cleaning cannot be overstated. It is recommended that you brush your teeth a minimum of two times a day, utilizing toothpaste containing fluoride and a toothbrush with soft bristles, for optimal oral hygiene. Remember to replace your toothbrush every three to four months or earlier if you notice the bristles becoming worn out or frayed.
- Proper Brushing Technique: Good oral hygiene goes beyond just frequency—it’s about technique too. Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums, using short back-and-forth motions to clean your teeth. Take care to brush all surfaces of the teeth – outer, inner, and chewing surfaces.
- Floss Daily: Frequently overlooked, flossing plays a crucial role in maintaining proper oral hygiene. It reaches the areas between teeth where a toothbrush can’t. In order to minimize the risk of problems such as gum disease and cavities, it is advisable to floss on a daily basis, ensuring the removal of plaque and food particles.
- Visit the Dentist Regularly: Professional dental cleaning and check-ups are fundamental to oral hygiene. Aim for a dental visit every six months to catch early signs of issues like gum disease or tooth decay.
- Limit Sugary and Acidic Foods: Your diet directly affects your oral health. Foods high in sugar and acids can damage your tooth enamel, leading to cavities. Opt for a balanced diet rich in essential vitamins and minerals. You most definitely can enjoy treats but be sure to balance it with fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains.
- Stay Hydrated: Drinking water frequently not only benefits your overall health but also aids in oral care. Water washes away food particles and acidic residues, promoting healthier teeth and gums.
- Say No to Tobacco: Whether chewed or smoked, tobacco products can cause tooth discoloration, gum disease, tooth loss, and in severe cases, mouth cancer. Avoiding them is a significant step towards superior oral hygiene.
- Tongue Cleaning: Many people overlook the tongue in their oral hygiene routine, but it can harbor bacteria contributing to bad breath and tooth decay. You can incorporate the use of a tongue scraper or toothbrush to clean your tongue every time you brush your teeth.
- Use Mouthwash: A good mouthwash can go a long way in maintaining oral hygiene. It can reach areas not easily accessed by brushing and flossing, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease.
- Protect Your Teeth During Sports: Many teens and college students participate in sports. Always wear a mouth guard during games and practices to protect your teeth from injury.
Here are a few extra tips to take with you on the go!
- Green or Black Tea: Green and black teas contain compounds called polyphenols. These compounds interact with the bacteria in your mouth to slow its growth and ability to produce acid, reducing your risk for cavities. If you’re a tea drinker, this can be an excellent way to help maintain oral health. Just be careful with adding sugar!
- Straw Use: When drinking sugary or acidic beverages (like soda, sports drinks, or citrus juices), use a straw to limit the liquid’s direct contact with your teeth. This can help to reduce the risk of tooth erosion and decay. Using a straw can also help prevent tooth discolouration.
- Chew Sugarless Gum: Chewing a piece of sugarless gum after meals can help increase saliva production, which naturally cleanses the mouth and neutralizes acids, thereby protecting your teeth.
- Dairy Products for Tooth Decay Prevention: Eating cheese and other dairy products can help prevent tooth decay. They stimulate saliva production, which neutralizes the acids in your mouth, and they’re high in calcium, which strengthens teeth.
- App Technology: There are numerous apps available that can help improve your oral health. For example, some apps remind you to brush and floss, others time your brushing sessions, and some even provide feedback on your technique. This can be a fun and modern approach to maintaining oral health.
In conclusion, achieving excellent oral care and hygiene requires commitment, but it’s a goal well within reach for every teen and college student. Remember, taking care of your oral health now can prevent dental problems in the future, ensuring a radiant smile for years to come.
Simrit has been working at Torbram Dental since 2001. She started her career with Assisting/Treatment co-ordinating and then moved on to becoming the Hygiene Co Ordinator in 2005. In 2012 she took on a new role as the Marketing Director. Though she loved being the Marketing Director, in 2015 she became the Office Manager of Torbram Dental. She completed her Level 1 Dental Assisting program with Career Canada in 1996 and then went on to complete her Level II Dental Assisting Diploma with Southwestern Medix in 1999. That is when she received NDAEB Certification. Simrit has been and still is an active member of the Ontario Dental Assistants Association since 2000. She enjoys hiking and traveling with her husband and two kids and loves to explore new restaurants, especially high-tea venues.
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Jessica, one of our receptionists, is one of the smiling faces you see when you arrive at the office. She graduated with honours from Medix College with a diploma as a Level 2 Dental Assistant. When she is not happily helping our patients, Jessica enjoys spending quality time with her friends and family, going to church on Sunday mornings, gardening and going on hikes.
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Naudia has been working at Torbram Dental for many years and is a valued member of our administrative team: as a dental receptionist and in our marketing team . She graduated from Everest College with honours level 1 and 2, with a diploma in Dental Assisting. Naudia is always there for our patients, making sure that they receive the care and attention they deserve. When not at the office, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking and indulging in civil court TV shows.
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Ramandeep has been a part of Torbram Dental for the past 10 years as certified dental assistant. She obtained her level 1 certification from Everest college in Brampton in 2013, and then her level 2 certification in 2014 from Medix college. Her career path through the clinic has been recognized by staff at all levels who admire her work ethic and dedication to million dollar smiles. In her spare time, Ramandeep enjoys cooking and gardening, and spending time with her husband and 2 kids.
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Sana is a valued member of our dental hygiene team. In 2008 she completed her education at George Brown in Dental Assisting and in 2016 she earned her diploma in Dental Hygiene from the Canadian Academy of Dental Health and Sciences. Sana has been working in dentistry since 2008 and enjoys taking care of our patients and helping them with their oral health. She is married and is busy with her 2 young children. In her spare time, Sana enjoys going out with the family, trying out new places to eat and is looking forward to travelling with them in the future.
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Sanaria has been working at Torbram Dental for many years as a valued member of our Dental Assisting Team. She completed her level 2 dental assisting certification and previously obtained a degree in Education and worked as a quality control officer in the pharmaceutical industry. When not at work Sanaria loves to bake and cook. She also loves story time and enjoying the outdoors with her children. She always sees the positive side of life, believes that nothing is impossible and that if you set a goal and work at it, that you will make your dreams come true.
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Carrie has been working at Torbram Dental since 2001. She graduated from George Brown College in 1998 with a Dental Assistant Diploma and continued to further her education by completing a Dental Hygiene Diploma in 2001 at Durham College. Carrie is a highly trained and experienced Registered Dental Hygienist who continues to learn and grow by updating her knowledge to provide her clients with the best Oral Health Care techniques and information. Carrie is passionate about Dentistry and is known for her gentle and compassionate manner. She feels strongly about building lasting relationships and trust with her clients to help them understand that good Oral Health leads to good Overall Health. Carrie enjoys travelling, dabbling in decorating and a good Netflix series in her time off. Carrie resides in Halton Hills with her husband and two children.
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Daniela's interest in Dentistry began in Gr.6 when she wrote a speech entitled "My Life as a Toothbrush".
A Registered Dental Hygienist with 22 years of clinical experience, Daniela still has a great passion for her career. The most rewarding aspect for her is building lasting relationships with her patients, and seeing them through to a healthier smile.
Her thorough yet gentle touch will ensure a comfortable visit every time.
Daniela is a total Foodie and loves to cook and enjoys all types of cuisines. She loves Florida, Cruises, organizing things, and most of all spending time with family and friends.
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Stephanie Enjoys getting to know all new patients at Torbram Dental and catching up with long standing Patients. Stephanie enjoys spending quality time with her family. One of her favorite things to do with her daughter is teach and play the piano. Stephanie likes going on walks with her husband and enjoys spending as much time with him as he is an Active Member of the Canadian Army. On Sundays, Stephanie enjoys going to Church and looks forward to Sunday Dinner with her entire family. Stephanie's Favorite thing to do to start her day right is head to her local Starbucks and Grab her favorite drink, an iced black tea with light lemonade on warm days and a blonde vanilla latte on those cold winter days.
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As a dedicated Dental Hygienist at Torbram Dental, Aalisha brings recent knowledge and experience to ensure the best oral health for our patients. She holds a Diploma in Dental Hygiene from the Toronto College of Dental Hygiene and Auxiliaries and has further enriched her education with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Waterloo. Beyond her professional qualifications, Aalisha has a zest for life that extends beyond the dental chair. She cherishes quality time with family and friends, thrives on outdoor adventures, and has a passion for hiking and water-based activities, especially during the sunny summer days. She is an avid traveler, exploring tropical paradises and historic destinations while immersing herself in diverse cultures and indulging in delicious culinary experiences."
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Supreet was born and raised in Punjab, India and came to Canada in 2016. She graduated from Sheridan College as an Environmental Lab Technician but later decided to change her career to dentistry. She completed her Level I and II Intra-Oral Dental Assisting course from George Brown College and graduated in 2023. In July 2023, Supreet joined the team at Torbram Dental where she enjoys working. In her free time, she loves to read books.
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