Take control of your oral health for better checkups

** Special Feature brought to you by Oral-B Professional**

For some, a visit to the dentist is no big deal. It’s simply a routine appointment that happens like clockwork, twice a year, but for others it’s not always as easy.

Some simple tweaks to your daily oral care routine can help you improve the health of your teeth and gums for a better checkup.

Clean up your diet. Sugar and carbohydrates contribute to plaque buildup. Plaque in turn can cause tooth decay—and if left untreated, can lead to cavities. Reduce your plaque buildup and consequently, your time in the dentist’s chair, by eating a balanced diet high in fibre with lots of fruits and vegetables. Limit starchy, refined carbohydrates and sugar, fruit juices and highly acidic foods where possible.

Get regular checkups Despite the most vigilant brushing regimen, we can all get plaque buildup. The key is not leaving it untreated. And that means visiting the dentist regularly for cleanings. The dentist has tools you don’t. And while all that picking and scratching can be annoying, it’s a lot less annoying than getting a filling. And a lot less expensive.

Floss According to the Crest and Oral-B Great Canadian Smile Survey, 20 per cent of Canadians admit to flossing less than once a month or not at all. As responsible adults, most of us know the importance of flossing yet somehow, we find excuses not to do it. Suck it up; you need to floss daily, you’re missing one third of the tooth’s surface if you don’t.

Invest in a rechargeable electric toothbrush I know what you’re thinking. Why would you ever need an electric toothbrush when the dentist gives you a perfectly good free one? Because studies have proven that Oral-B electric toothbrushes can remove twice as much plaque than Oral-B manual brushes. That’s a lot less poking and scratching in the dentist’s chair. And that could lead to fewer cavities.

In fact, more and more Canadians have been looking into the benefits of going electric. A recent sample of Chatelaine readers tried the Oral-B Professional™ Healthy Clean™ + Floss Action™ Precision 5000™and here’s what they had to say.

“Much better clean!! My whole mouth feels clean and vibrant!! I will never go back to a manual brush and I also plan to purchase the remaining members of my family one of these as well! ” – Jenn, Strathmore

“I like that the timer keeps me motivated to keep cleaning. I like how clean my mouth feels afterwards. It feels like I just got a professional cleaning.” – Allison, Thornhill

“I was surprised at first because I have never used an electric toothbrush before, but overall I was really impressed at how well it worked and how clean my teeth felt.” – Stefany, Toronto

“At first I was going to give this to a family member to try but then I decided to try it myself. I’m amazed that this reached every spot in my mouth and cleaned it so well. I’ve never used an electric toothbrush before but I’m so glad I tried it. I will be continuing to use it with the guide. Honestly had I tried this years ago, my teeth might have had a lot fewer cavities.” – Michelle, Bridgewater

“It simplifies brushing, making it easy to reach every part of my mouth equally. I don't worry that I am missing areas like my back molars, which my dentist has cautioned me about. I can get to them easier now. I look forward to brushing.”  – Colleen, Winnipeg

“It’s so easy to use and my teeth feel so clean. It feels almost like I just had a cleaning at the dentist.  I love it.  I have had a lot of problems with my teeth in the last few years and I have had to brush after each meal. This toothbrush helps me so much.” – Concetta, Oakville

If I can’t convince you, I bet these users can. Read all the Oral-B Professional™ Precision 5000™ testimonials now and decide for yourself.