Give the Gift of Oral Health: 10 Smile Enhancing Ideas!

1. UPSCALED ORAL HEALTH
Add some high-end, quality oral health products to the gift list. From toothpastes to mineral drinks, put some pizzazz in their oral health care routine with Canadian and European products.
2. UPGRADE TO ELECTRIC
Electric toothbrushes are more than a luxury item. They can be more effective than manual brushes and are particularly useful for seniors with arthritis, young children, those with dexterity problems and adults with heavy plaque build up.
3. WHITEN & BRIGHTEN THEIR DAY
Know someone who wouldn't mind a mega-watt grin? Wicked White professional is an in-office whitening treatment that is safe, effective and provides immediate results, not to mention it is 100% pure, vegan, no harsh chemicals, preservatives or fillers! Gift certificates are available!
4. CHEW AWAY
You don't have to eliminate all sweet treats! Norfolk Dental Hygiene carries xylitol chewing gum and mints in fruit and mint flavours. Xylitol helps suppress the bacteria that causes tooth decay, it also increase saliva flow to help wash food debris from teeth.
5. DIY: ESSENTIAL OILS
Add essential oils to your natural tooth paste or use them to create mouth wash to enhance your oral health.
6. SHINE IT UP
Coco Rinse is the new way to oil pull! It has a delicious mint flavour, easy to use and travel-friendly. Some of the benefits include a brighter smile, healthier gums, clearer softer skin and more!
7. ROLL IT UP
A thoughtful gift for the frugal person in your life is a toothpaste clamp or two. They come is classic styles or fun cute shapes for the young at heart.
8. HOLD IT UP
There are tons of fun ways to store your toothbrush! Make sure your holder allows for upright storage and that the toothbrushes don't touch to prevent the transfer of germs.
9. SLEEP WITH THE BEST
The enVY pillow aligns your spine, reduces wrinkles and gives you the best sleep of your life! The ergonomic design allows a comfy way to sleep with minimal face-to-pillow contact which is ideal for jaw pain and TMJ relief.
10. INSURE THE FUTURE
Not everyone has the dental coverage that they need or want. If someone you know falls under this category, consider gifting them a Norfolk Dental Hygiene gift certificate. It's an especially thoughtful gift for grandkids or seniors.

Oral Health & Cold and Flu Season

Bacteria is forming in our mouth immediately after brushing. Without proper removal our immune system can become alarmed sending signals to us and our oral health professional there is a problem! These signs aren’t always visible or felt by you.

Here’s what you need to know….

If your immune system is fighting bacteria in your mouth, it is NOT able to rid your body of viruses or bacteria at full force. This can put you and your children at risk for a longer sickness with worsened symptoms.

Signs you might notice if your gums are irritated, inflamed or infected

• ·         Redness in between the teeth or along the gums
• ·         Bleeding when brushing or flossing
• ·         Achy feeling in the gums
• ·         Bad taste or smell in the mouth
• ·         Rough feeling teeth
• ·         Inability to move floss between teeth
• ·         Swelling around the teeth (usually felt with tongue)

Signs your dental hygienists can see if your gums are irritated, inflamed or infected

• ·         Redness around the gum line or between the teeth
• ·         Bleeding while gums are being touched by dental tools
• ·         Rounding or rolling of the gums around the teeth
• ·         Foul odour in the mouth
• ·         Pocketing (separation of the gums) and bleeding after traditional gum assessment
• ·         Bacteria (plaque) around and under gums
• ·         Calculus(tartar) attached to the tooth inside the gums

How should your gums appear when they are healthy?

• ·         Pink in colour
• ·         Firm against the tooth
• ·         Stippled like an orange peel
• ·         Flat and snug to the tooth
• ·         Smooth feeling on the teeth
• ·         Ideally free from recession (receding gums)

Quick Tips to keep your mouth Healthy this Season

• ·         Use natural antiviral/antibacterial mouth rinses and toothpastes
• ·         Visit your dental hygienist regularly and often to disrupt the bacteria where you can't reach
• ·         Try hard to maintain good home care habits; such as brushing for 5 minutes, flossing, sulca        brushing and using interdental aids.
• ·         Maintain good eating habits
• ·         Utilize vitamins and minerals (especially Vitamin C)
• ·         Ensure you’re a getting the right amount of good sleep
• ·         Daily exercise of at least 30 minutes

It’s important to keep the blood flowing around the body so the immune cells can move quicker when alerted. The healthier your mouth is during this time, the healthier your body will be overall.

Take a quick look in your mouth…..not sure about what you see? Let us help!

For more information about products that might be right for you, contact or visit Norfolk Dental Hygiene!

Oral Hygiene and Benefits of Essential oils

Gingivitis or gum disease is an infection of the tissues of the mouth that support the teeth. Although Gum disease, tooth decay and the demineralization of teeth differ, they can be addressed with natural treatments.

Most common gum and mouth problems are caused by periodontal diseases. These can include bacterial infections that lead to inflammation. Inflammation eventually destroys the gums and other supporting tissues surrounding the teeth. And it can wreak havoc on your overall health!

The bacteria (biofilm) is a sticky film called plaque that forms around the teeth and gums. If it is not removed it will harden and becomes what we know as calculus (tarter). Plaque, calculus and the bacteria involved irritate and inflame the gums.

The progression of periodontal disease happens in stages. The first stage is Gingivitis. The gums are red, swollen and bleed easily. Early stages of gingivitis will have light bleeding. During the next stage, Periodontal pockets form. This is caused by plaque forming below the gum line. If left untreated in becomes chronic, this stage is called Periodontitis. This chronic presence of plaque, calculus, and inflammation destroys the gum and bone structure that supports the teeth and may result in them becoming loose and needing removal.

There are many causes of Gum Disease some of which may include: poor dental hygiene, infrequent dental hygiene visits, smoking, immune-related illnesses (eg. cancer, HIV, diabetes), emotional stress, poor nutrition and/or excess consumption of sugar leading to candidiasis. 

Essential oils are another great tool to have in your oral hygiene care toolkit! Essential oil rinses achieve just as much plaque inhibitions and act against subgingival periopathogens (a cause of gingivitis) when compared with a fluoride rinses.

Essential oils can relieve anxiety. Lavender essential oil has been shown, in a variety of circumstances, to lessen mild anxiety and calm heightened emotional states. Utilizing it in dental waiting areas has been shown to calm nervous patients. Wild orange essential oil, can be useful for anxious children. Inhaling this oil reduces cortisol levels in saliva and slows anxious pulse rates.

Essential oils also aid in the health of dental implants. When the essential oils Melissa and Lavender are applied to dental implants, they have been shown to limit the amount of biofilm produced. 

  

Here are a couple of recipes and instructions to add your favourite essential oils into your oral care routine. For dentures and nightguards make a solution of distilled water and essential oils (1 cup of water per 10 drops of oil) and allow the appliance to soak for a few minutes. You can use this same solution recipe as a mouthwash. Swish the essential oil solution as you would a regular mouthwash.  Add a drop of essential oil to your toothpaste for added benefits depending on the oil your choose. Use this same toothpaste recipe to clean dental implants in place of a conventional cleaner. To clean in between your teeth, dilute a drop of essential oil with coconut oil and dip your interdental brush in the solution.

You can achieve a deep clean by oil pulling with essential oils blended in coconut oil. This is especially helpful when you are unable to brush your teeth due to a severe fever, indigestion, asthma, coughing, vomiting, and mouth ulcers. It also prevents bad breath and gingivitis.

Choosing essential oils for your oral health natural medicine cabinet depends on your needs and preferences. Clove and lavender oil are used to battle canker sores. Dilute 1 drop with 4 drops of a carrier oil (coconut oil) and apply twice daily. Peppermint can be used to reduce halitosis (bad breath). Add 1 drop with toothpaste. Or infuse oil with water and gargle. Don’t forget to brush your tongue! Clove and wild orange oil can soothe sensitive teeth. Apply 1 drop with 4 drops of a carrier oil (coconut oil) on affected tooth and gums. Blend your favourite oils to fight plaque, ward off infections and make the most of their antimicrobial effects!

There are literally textbooks devoted to the study of essential oil safety when it comes to drug interactions and contraindications. Always use PURE essential oils! They cost more but you gain the benefits of their therapeutic use and they are not filled with unknown additives.

Oil safety is still a wild frontier in the science community and no one really knows for certain how essential oils will interact with drugs or your body.

Let common sense be your guide. Still, be sure to maintain proper dilutions and general safety considerations still apply. As always, discontinue use if any adverse reactions occur and consult your doctor immediately. Always consult your doctor prior to use of any essential oils if you are uncertain.

If you have any questions about essential oils and oral health, or your looking for recommendations for a specific oral care need… please contact me at norfolkdentalhygiene@gmail.com. Keep Smiling!

Caroline Borges, RDH