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Let’s Celebrate World Oral Health Day! | Ottawa Dentist

We all know that our health is of the utmost importance. Unfortunately, many of us don’t link oral health to general health, even though it’s DIRECTLY linked to our overall health. We breathe with our mouths, eat and drink with our mouths, if there is a way for a germ to get into our system, it’s likely through our mouth. And this is why it is so important to keep up with our oral hygiene.

According to the FDI World Dental Association, oral diseases affect nearly 4 billion people around the globe, including gum disease, oral cancer, and tooth loss. About 30% of people between the ages of 65 and 74 have no natural teeth.

What better way to celebrate World Oral Health Day than to take stock of our dental health practices? You may think your dental professional holds the keys to your optimal dental health, but it is our duty to keep up with our dental hygiene in between dental appointments. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Brush regularly. You may brush your teeth daily, but it needs to last at least two minutes.

Flossing. Flossing your teeth on a regular basis is ideal to get food and debris in areas a toothbrush can’t reach.

Rinse with mouthwash. Using a mouthwash daily loosens leftover food debris and plaque, just make sure it is ADA approved.

Lose the tobacco. Avoid cigarettes and chewing tobacco, as these types of products contribute to gum disease.

Get healthy. Keeping up a healthy diet will provide the nutrients that are necessary to prevent gum disease.

Visit the dentist. Visiting your dentist regularly for checkups, teeth cleanings, and other dental procedures needed to keep your mouth healthy.

Schedule your appointment today. Call Dr. Doumit in Ottawa, Ontario at 613-232-8000 or visit www.urbandentalcentre.com.

Dr. Katia Doumit proudly serves Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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New Year, New Dental Hygiene Habits | Ottawa Dentist

Now that we have begun 2022, it is important to know that change is afoot for many of us. We all have some goals set for the new year, and many of them have to do with health. Unfortunately, many of us forget about our dental health when making these changes. But it’s true – dental health should be a top priority because our general health is directly linked to our dental one. And the first step? A clean toothbrush. 

The best way to limit the bacteria in your mouth is to brush your teeth. And what do we use to do this? A toothbrush. But if you’re neglecting your toothbrush, it begins to neglect you. The best way to keep those cavity creeps away is to replace your toothbrush on a regular basis. In fact, we need to swap out our toothbrushes every three to four months. If the bristles become frayed, you’re sick, or you have a weak immune system, it’s time to exchange our toothbrush. If you use an electric toothbrush, throw out the head as often as you’d discard a disposable toothbrush. 

As for habits, start and close each day with a clean mouth. Because every time you’re tempted to skip brushing and flossing your teeth, remember that bacteria lurk in your mouth – and that they cause gum disease, and decay, and bad breath. Make sure you’re brushing and flossing as often as possible to eliminate some of those bacteria. Rinsing your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash before or after brushing can also help reduce plaque-causing bacteria that can lead to early forms of gum disease. It’s a new year – why not start with a healthy smile? 

Schedule your appointment today. Call Dr. Doumit in Ottawa, Ontario at 613-232-8000 or visit www.urbandentalcentre.com.

Dr. Katia Doumit proudly serves Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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Wrapping Up the Year with a Healthy Smile | Ottawa Dentist

As we wrap up 2021 and prepare for 2022, many of us take stock and set goals for the upcoming year. For some, it’s health while others try to work on lifestyle changes. All are great ideas, but one resolution seems to miss us is our dental health. Sure, many of us link health to nutrition, but the health of our smile plays an even more important role in our overall health. Think about it, many germs and viruses are often ingested via our mouth. If we take care of our smile, chances are good health will follow.

So, how do we keep our mouths healthy? Proper dental hygiene. It’s a new year – visit your dentist for a checkup. If you have an issues on the horizon, you can make specific changes to your typical dental routine. If you’ve passed your checkup with flying colors, then you can rest assured that you’re doing a great job.

For those that need a refresher course on proper dental hygiene, here’s a quick rundown:

  • Brush for at least two minutes.
  • Floss to remove food from hard-to-reach places.
  • Rinse with a fluoride mouthwash.
  • Keep your dental appointments.

Schedule your appointment today. Call Dr. Doumit in Ottawa, Ontario at 613-232-8000 or visit www.urbandentalcentre.com.

Dr. Katia Doumit proudly serves Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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Your Asthma May Be Giving You Dental Issues | Ottawa Dentist

Do you suffer from asthma? Don’t worry – this isn’t a judgement. Asthma is very common. It’s so common that roughly 339 million people worldwide suffer from this inflammatory disease that narrows and inflames your airways to the point that it is difficult to breath. But did you know that asthma can also lead to future dental problems? It’s true. And this is why you need to pay extra special attention to your dental health if you suffer from this affliction. Patients with asthma can experience a number of triggers, from weather conditions to airborne irritants like pollen and pet dander. When it causes issues breathing, it is likely you will use an inhaler. These inhalers are repressing salivary glands and limiting saliva production, causing you to experience dry mouth. Dry mouth allows for damaging bacteria to remain in our mouths and cause damage, like plaque build-up – and plaque is the beginning stages of bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease. Don’t worry – asthma isn’t the end of your great smile. But it is the beginning of an improvement to your daily dental hygiene routine. After you use your inhaler, rinse your mouth out with water. Not only will you kickstart saliva production, but you will rinse away any sugar your inhaler may be sweetened with to make it easier to use. In fact, drinking enough water and snacking on fruits like apples are great for increasing saliva production and reducing dry mouth. But above all else, keep up with your dental hygiene. Brush for two minutes, floss and rinse with fluoride mouthwash daily, but most importantly, keep your dental appointments. They are the only ones that can ensure you’re doing a good job. If you would like more information about the effects of asthma, call Dr. Katia Doumit in Ottawa, Ontario at 613-232-8000 or visit www.lesplanadedental.com. Dr. Doumit proudly serves Ottawa and all surrounding areas.
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Improve Your Smile with a Picnic | Ottawa Dentist

As the world slowly begins to open up again and we are delving into the warm summer months, it is a good idea to grab a blanket and head outside to soak in some vitamin D. Not only does the sunshine improve your overall health but having a bit of a picnic while soaking it all in can also improve your smile. After all, June 18th is International Picnic Day – why not celebrate with a healthy smile? Here are just a few of the picnic foods you can enjoy that will simultaneously brighten your smile: Traditional. If you are going for a more family-friendly option, there are lots of choices that can benefit your dental health. Cheeses and proteins can help strengthen your teeth, fruits and veggies can help scrub them and encourage saliva production, which is key to rinsing cavity-causing bacteria while you eat. Wine and cheese. If you have a more sophisticated palette, you may opt for a nice wine and cheese pairing. Well, you’re in luck – cheese is full of calcium, which strengthens your teeth enamel, and red wine also had dental benefits. But be careful – too much acidic red wine will begin to break down your tooth enamel and begin to stain your teeth. When you’re out and about, it is important to maintain some type of hydration at all times so make sure to pack plenty of water in your picnic basket. And while you may not have a toothbrush handy, popping a piece of sugar-free gum after your snacks will also help keep your mouth clean while you bask in the warm summer sunshine. Enjoy your picnic! If you would like more information about improving your smile, call Dr. Katia Doumit in Ottawa, Ontario at 613-232-8000 or visit www.lesplanadedental.com. Dr. Doumit proudly serves Ottawa and all surrounding areas.
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Keeping Your Routines Is Important | Ottawa Dentist

If there is anything that we know at this time, it’s that we don’t know very much. Our daily lives are changing every day, but there is one thing that remains clear – to remain healthy, keep your hands clean. The second rule? Don’t touch your face. The thing to remember here is that germs love to invade our bodies through our mouths, so keeping our mouths clean and healthy is very important right now. When you think about how much time you spend on your teeth, it is important that you don’t take things lightly. Brushing your teeth roughly for a few seconds each day isn’t properly taking care of your teeth. Choose a soft bristled toothbrush and gently brush your teeth in a circular motion for two minutes, making sure to take time in each quadrant of your mouth (tops and bottoms, left and right sides). Flossing is a step many of use think of as a chore, but it is doing the extra steps to ensure nothing is allowed to set up camp inside our mouths. Choose your own variation, but make sure you floss at least once a day to get in between our teeth the way brushing can’t. The more places bacteria have to set up camp inside your mouth, the easier dental issues will arise later on down the line. Rinsing with mouthwash is a thirty second journey that will disinfect our mouths the way brushing and flossing can’t. Using it beforehand to loosen things before you brush is an option, and a rinse afterwards will add a nice finish to what a great job keeping our mouth clean. Prevention is the best way to keep ourselves healthy, and our dental health is on the frontlines of the health of our whole body. If you would like more information about dental hygiene, call Dr. Katia Doumit in Ottawa, Ontario at 613-232-8000 or visit www.lesplanadedental.com. Dr. Doumit proudly serves Ottawa and all surrounding areas.
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‘Tis the Season for Dental Health | Ottawa Dentist

While we are preparing to celebrate our holidays, it is easy for us to put off some of our “less important” routines to make room for all of the social events filling up our holiday calendar. Unfortunately, one of the first routines to go is our dental ones. But with all the holiday sweets and treats everywhere we look it is even more important to keep our teeth healthy. After all, what is a holiday party without some photos? Dental health is something that needs to be maintained year-round. Not only does it affect your smile, but lots of health issues can be prevented by keeping our mouths healthy because our mouths are the first line of defense for many health issues. During this holiday season, keep these dental tips in mind: Daily dental routines. Each day make sure you take some time out to give our teeth a good scrubbing. Brush twice a day for at least two minutes using a soft-bristled toothbrush, floss at least once a day and rinse with a fluoride mouthwash. If you have little ones, it’s important to start these routines early in order to instill good health habits, so make it a family affair. Moderation is key. Far be it for us to tell you what to eat, but it is important to think about how much you are enjoying during the holiday season. We all seem to gain a bit of weight during this celebratory time, but too much can have an adverse effect on our smiles if we don’t watch how many sweets we consume. So, enjoy the holiday season – just don’t forget about the health of your smile. If you would like more information about holiday dental tips, call Dr. Katia Doumit in Ottawa, Ontario at 613-232-8000 or visit www.lesplanadedental.com. Dr. Doumit proudly serves Ottawa and all surrounding areas.
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Becoming Aware of World Diabetes Day | Ottawa Dentist

Every November 14th we celebrated World Diabetes Day, a day created by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization to help promote the awareness of a disease that remarkably affects over 400 million people worldwide. And because diabetes took 5000 lives in 2015, any education we can give to the public can only help improve the chances of decreasing this devastating disease. But diabetes isn’t just a disease affecting our overall health, it is a disease that can also affect our dental health in a number of ways. This is why it is not only important to maintain proper dental hygiene, but to also get regular dental visits in order to ensure that everything you are doing will keep you and your smile at its healthiest. These are just a few ways your diabetes can affect your smile:
  • Dry mouth
  • Gum inflammation (gingivitis) and periodontitis
  • Thrush
  • Burning mouth or tongue
  • Slow healing of oral tissues
In order to keep dental issues at bay, there are some simple tips you can do at home between dental visits: Maintain your blood sugar levels. Not only does this include changes to your diet, but also taking the required insulin when levels get too low. Keep your diet low-sugar, low-cholesterol and high fiber by choosing more vegetables, whole grains and lean meats. Proper dental hygiene routine. Brushing twice a day for at least two minutes, flossing and rinsing at least once are just the basics. If you feel like you may not be doing things correctly, ask your dental professional. Regular checkups are the easiest way to prevent poor dental health. Quit smoking. Smokers are 20% more at risk for developing gum disease. It also impairs blood flow to the gums, which may explain why healing takes more time. If you would like more information about diabetes and dental health, call Dr. Katia Doumit in Ottawa, Ontario at 613-232-8000 or visit www.lesplanadedental.com. Dr. Doumit proudly serves Ottawa and all surrounding areas.
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Halloween Dental Tips | Ottawa Dentist

As we swiftly approach the spookiest holiday of the year, we are reminded that there is about to be an onslaught of sugar about to hit your healthy smile. Yes, Halloween is one holiday that is not only about scary monsters, but lots and lots of sweets. In order to protect our smiles, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene while we celebrate with all of your little ghosts and goblins. When it comes to eating candy, not all are created equal. Do your best to avoid sour candies, the acidity really damages tooth enamel. Candies that are sticky are also not the best choices, especially if you have dental appliances like braces or dentures. The best options will always be the chocolate ones – not only is dark chocolate good for you, but chocolate melts easily and doesn’t stick to your teeth as much as chewy candies. After you celebrate the season with some scrumptious sweets, take the time to look after your smile. If you don’t have a toothbrush handy, be sure to rinse the excess of sugar left on your teeth off with a bit of water. If you do have one, give your teeth a quick brushing. Leaving sugar to sit on your teeth for long periods of time will likely cause damage to your smile over time. Having good oral hygiene habits will keep your smile healthy and bright, making your dental appointments a breeze. Halloween is a great time of year and should be celebrated to the fullest. Just make sure you do everything in moderation and practice healthy dental habits.
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Long in the Tooth Isn’t Just a Saying | Ottawa Dentist

Have you ever heard of the saying, you’re getting “long in the tooth”? While it doesn’t sound like a very nice thing to say to someone getting older, there is a lot of truth to it. As we hit our forties, our gums will naturally begin to recede. And depending on how well you take care of your smile, this may become an issue. Not only do receding gums look unattractive, but there are plenty of health issues that can arise if left untreated. Since knowledge is the key to prevention, let’s take a look at the main reasons your gums may be receding:

Gum disease. The main reason you may begin to develop gum recession is due to gum disease. If proper dental hygiene isn’t practiced, bacteria will invade the gumline and attack the connective tissues, causing your gums to bleed, become swollen and detach from your tooth. Unfortunately, only your dentist can diagnose this so keeping your appointments is actually really necessary.

Poor dental hygiene. This may sound redundant, but this isn’t the same point. Not only is daily dental hygiene important, but the techniques you use are important as well. If you think brushing aggressively is getting your teeth cleaner, you are incorrect. In fact, it’s the opposite. Treat your mouth with kindness. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, hold it at a 45-degree angle and brush your teeth in a circular motion, making sure to get all areas in your mouth.

No one wants to have trouble with their teeth but a lot of the dental problems we face are our own doing. Take care of your teeth and they’ll take care of you.

If you would like more information about receding gums, call Dr. Katia Doumit in Ottawa, Ontario at 613-232-8000 or visit www.lesplanadedental.com.

Dr. Doumit proudly serves Ottawa and all surrounding areas.