Personal Dental Hygiene
Only care for the teeth you want to keep! Excellent personal dental hygiene is crucial for every mouth to prevent decay. There are a couple of very simple steps to take morning and night that will keep those teeth healthy and strong.
Brush: Teeth brushing should happen at least twice a day. A thorough cleaning tends to take about 2 minutes. Be sure to use short strokes with the brush and to go over every angle of each tooth. Brush your tongue too to avoid bad breath! Tip: spit, but don’t rinse after brushing because it rinses off the fluoride from the toothpaste which then allows for a greater risk of tooth decay. Some people prefer an electric toothbrush if they struggle to brush correctly. Be sure to replace the toothbrush every 3-4 months because worn-out toothbrushes will not do a proper job of cleaning those pearly whites.
Floss: Flossing should be done at least once a day. Guide the floss between your teeth and GENTLY move it up and down between every tooth. Be sure to go beneath the gum line and rub the floss along the side of each tooth (don’t forget the back side of your last tooth). Do not re-use a piece of dental floss.
Rinse: The most important thing to remember is that mouthwash is not a replacement for regular brushing or flossing. It is known to help freshen breath, whiten teeth, prevent cavities, and prevent plaque buildup. When using mouthwash, it is recommended that you swish it around your mouth for 30 seconds to a minute and this spit it out. Do not rinse out your mouth afterward to allow it to work effectively.
Regular Exams and Cleanings
Proper dental hygiene is important to keep that smile looking good every day, but studies show that oral health affects the rest of the body as well. The American Dental Association recommends that you come in for check-ups and cleanings every six months unless otherwise directed by the dentist.
Brushing every morning and night is a good thing for teeth, but a thorough cleaning done by a professional is necessary to clean off stubborn tartar and surface stains. These regular cleanings help cardiovascular health, diabetic health, prevents periodontal disease and lowers inflammation. Regular exams, x-rays, and cleanings come with many health benefits that should never be ignored.
Oral Health Benefits
- Prevent gum disease (periodontal disease). Left untreated, gum disease leads to early tooth loss.
- Detect oral cancer at an early stage. One person dies from oral cancer every hour in America, but when caught early, many of these cancers are curable.
- Brighten and whiten teeth. Regular cleaning can remove most surface stains that discolor and dull the teeth.
- Detect early signs of problems such as broken fillings and fractures.
- Save money in the long run because most dental plans cover cleanings and taking advantage of this will save dental expenses in the long run on more expensive (and easily preventable) treatments such as fillings for cavities and root canals.
- Prevent persistent bad breath.
- Improve personal dental hygiene routines as the dentist gives feedback about your current routine and tips on how to improve it.
- Oral health can affect the health of the rest of the body. Studies show that people who have had their teeth cleaned at least once every two years significantly reduce the risk of a heart attack or a stroke.
X-Rays
We offer two different types of x-rays in our office: digital x-rays and 3-dimensional x-rays (CT). Digital X-Rays give us a clear digital image of your teeth, while 3D X-Rays gives us more in-depth crystal clear images of your teeth, soft tissues, nerve pathways and bone in a single scan. X-rays help us to better see what is going on inside every mouth to prevent decay, diagnose problems, and treat your teeth.