Dental Cleaning Vancouver: Tips for Keeping Your Smile Cavity Free

At Pearl Dental Boutique, we offer teeth whitening and dental cleaning in Vancouver. As dental hygienists, smiles for life are what we’re all about. Did you know there’s a lot you can do to keep your smile cavity-free? This month we’re looking at tips and tricks to a cavity-free mouth. Ready? Here we go.

Dental Cleaning in Vancouver

Routine dental cleaning and check-ups may seem obvious, but many people neglect them. At these visits, our hygienists check the state of your teeth and gums, providing personalized tips and insights you might not know. Plus, it is a great way to get a deep cleaning and improve your health and smile. Schedule dental cleaning in Vancouver— we recommend twice a year for most people, but people managing gum disease or other challenges may require three or four.

Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride is a natural mineral that protects against decay and cavities. Give teeth extra protection simply by adding fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash to your hygiene routine. If you’re wondering what we use as hygienists, our go-tos are Colgate Total for gum disease, Sensodyne for sensitivity, and Clinpro 5000 for high cavities—please note the last option requires a prescription and is not recommended for children.

Follow-Up

For extra care, we recommend following up a good brush by gently rubbing MI Paste on teeth and gums. Best described as a tooth lotion, it helps help condition, protect and rebuild. Mi Paste is formulated with RECALDENT™ (CPP-ACP); Casein Phosphopeptide (CPP), naturally occurring molecules able to release calcium and phosphate ions and stabilize Amorphous Calcium Phosphate (ACP). For mouthwash, we love the tingly freshness of Opti-Rinse, which is clinically proven to fight against cavities, prevent/reduce plaque and gingivitis, and remineralize tooth enamel, which also helps against dry mouth.

Diet Habits

It’s no surprise that diet plays a significant role in oral health. The food and drink we consume regularly can strengthen or weaken our teeth. This doesn’t mean that the occasional sweet treat is off-limits, but healthy choices like cheese, crunchy veg/fruits, and water all play an active role in a healthy smile. When food is crisp, the act of chewing helps remove plaque. Cheese contains calcium and phosphate, which combine to help keep the pH levels in the mouth neutral—it’s also great for protecting and rebuilding enamel. Water is good for our overall health, but we love it because it helps flush away the food remnants that cavity-causing bacteria eat.

Foods to Avoid

Remember—nothing off limits, but some treats should be enjoyed occasionally, followed by a brush and rinse. The worst offenders are sweet and sticky, allowing bacteria more time to feed and thrive. Our cautionary list includes:

• Sour candies – sour candies contain damaging acids
• Bread and chips – starches are ultimately sugars
• Alcohol – leads to dry mouth, preventing saliva that rinses away food particles
• Carbonated beverages – acidic drinks contain harmful acid
• Dried fruits – sticky sugars cling to teeth, leaving behind sugar

Brushing and Flossing

Alongside other healthy habits, your best bet for lifelong smiles is regular brushing and flossing. These everyday habits help cleans the mouth of decaying food, which leads to cavities—and bad breath. Good oral hygiene works to protect the teeth between cleanings and visits. We recommend using a soft brush that won’t damage enamel. 

Angle the bristles at a 45-degree angle—clean the surface of every tooth, inside the cheeks and the side of the tongue. Don’t rush the brush—take your time. Use a short vibratory back-and-forth motion and then a sweep towards the chewing surface of teeth. Follow up with flossing, moving away from the gums in gentle up and down motions. The objective is to reach any areas the brush missed.

Schedule Dental Cleaning in Vancouver

As certified hygienists, our rates are competitive. At Pearl, we accept dental insurance and specialize in dental cleaning and whitening, which means shorter weight times. Discover a boutique experience that is thorough yet relaxing, free of needles and drills. At Pearl, we’re giving Vancouver a reason to smile.