Oral health is a cornerstone of quality of life, enabling you to eat, speak, and smile confidently. It also enhances appearance and self-esteem. Advances in preventive dentistry make it possible to keep your natural teeth for life. As dental experts recommend, here are key principles for optimal hygiene and health.
Tooth Brushing: The Foundation of Prevention
Brush twice daily—morning and evening—for three minutes with a manual toothbrush or two minutes with an electric one. This effectively removes dental plaque, the sticky film of food debris and bacteria that causes cavities and gum disease.
Position the brush at a 45-degree angle to the gums, then gently brush from the gumline downward in circular motions. Use the tip for inner surfaces. With an electric brush, glide it across each tooth's surfaces.
Floss once daily after evening brushing to clean between teeth. Mouthwashes provide excellent support morning and evening.
Start early: Encourage children to "play" at brushing from age two with a child-sized brush and fluoride toothpaste. Supervise until age 5 or 6.
Regular Dental Visits
Don't wait for pain—schedule check-ups every six months, as advised by the National Order of Dental Surgeons (ONCD), at any age. These detect cavities or gingivitis early and include scaling to remove tartar.
Tartar forms from hardened plaque mixed with saliva minerals, yellowing teeth and fostering gum and periodontal disease.
To Know: Under L'Assurance Maladie's "M'T dents" program, free oral exams are available for children, teens, and young adults at ages 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24. These also monitor proper tooth development.
The Vital Role of Diet
Sugars—sucrose in fruits and table sugar, starches, and glucose in jams and sweets—fuel cavities. Avoid snacking between meals and brush thoroughly to minimize risks. Acidic foods and drinks (ketchup, fruit juices, sodas, colas) soften enamel.
Teeth-friendly foods include cheese, rich in fats, proteins for acid protection, and calcium/phosphorus for enamel remineralization. Fruits and vegetables supply vitamins A and C essential for healthy gums.
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