Oral Hygiene

More and more people are keeping their teeth longer and longer. Thanks to advancements in dental technology, you have available tools to treat and care for your teeth like never before. So, make your teeth last a lifetime.

To help avoid a cavity filling or other dental problems, here are some things you can do to maintain a healthy mouth and strong teeth.

• Brush your teeth daily with fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss daily between your teeth to remove dental plaque buildup.
• Visit your dentist twice a year for a regular teeth cleaning, even if you have no signs of dental issues.
• Avoid tobacco products, especially tobacco and cigarettes.
• Limit alcoholic drinks and drink plenty of water.
• Limit gum, sweets, and other products containing high amounts of sugar.
• Diabetes may increase your risk for gum disease. Control your diabetes and seek dental cleaning & exams every 6 months.
• Visit our dentist when you see sudden changes in taste, smell, redness, or swelling around the gums and teeth.

Brush Your Teeth

Maintaining your oral health requires daily plaque removal - a sticky, colorless film of bacteria that destroys the enamel of your teeth. Plaque buildup can eventually lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

Plaque buildup can even slowly destroy teeth that have been filled or restored. Plaque can find its way underneath a filling or dental crown and cause new decay. Exposed tooth roots due to gum recession are especially susceptible to tooth decay. Gum recession is caused by a number of factors, including aggressive brushing, smoking, and even genetics.

Brushing Tips

• We recommend fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride helps protect teeth by strengthening the tooth's outer surface.
• Place an angel on your toothbrush to clean between the gums and teeth.
• Brush gently using a circular motion. Scrubbing back and forth is less effective and, when done aggressively, may lead to gum recession.
• Brush all sides of each tooth and your tongue.
• Use interdental brushes if wearing a permanent retainer or during orthodontic care.
• Replace your toothbrush when the bristles become worn.

Flossing Tips

• Floss gently between the teeth to the gumline. Avoid forcing the floss, as this could damage your gums. But floss deep enough where food and bacteria may live.
• Floss around each side of the tooth using a curved "C" motion.
• Floss holders are small tools that hold the floss if you wish to avoid wrapping your fingers with floss.
• Floss threaders help you floss through tight spaces.
• Water flossers are optional devices that spray water to remove plaque buildup.
• Interdental brushes are designed to clean between teeth.
• Mouthwash is not a replacement option for flossing.