Brushing
When brushing your teeth, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. It is best to brush in small circular motions holding the brush at an angle to reach any portions of the tooth surface or gum line that may have hidden bacteria or food particles. Always brush away from the gumline: brush up on the lower teeth and down on the upper teeth. Always finish by brushing your tongue and the roof of your mouth before rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash. The best times to brush your teeth are after meals and before bed. Be sure to replace your toothbrush when you see any signs of wear (such as frayed bristles) and after each professional cleaning.
Flossing
While brushing is very important to maintaining a healthy oral hygiene regimen, there are hard to reach areas that can’t be cleaned by brushing alone. Flossing is equally important, as it can help remove food and plaque that gets caught between the teeth.
In addition to brushing, floss your teeth every day using these steps:
Step 1: Dispense a strand of floss and wrap the ends around your pointer fingers.
Step 2: Take the floss and guide it between your teeth, making sure to grab any plaque or food that may be caught. If needed, repeat step 1 to get a new strand.
Step 3: Repeat step 2 until you have flossed between all of your teeth. Don’t forget the back teeth!
Step 4: Rise thoroughly. Be sure to do this every day.
It is best to floss right before bed. If your teeth bleed a little when you first begin flossing, do not worry. If the bleeding continues after a few days of your routine, contact our office.
Tooth Decay Prevention
Tooth decay occurs when sugars from your everyday diet remain on the teeth and interact with the bacteria in your mouth. This interaction produces an acid that eats away at the minerals in your teeth, thus forming a cavity. During routine visits, our dentists will remove any decay and fill any teeth that have cavies. These routine exams are especially important if you are prone to cavities as nerve damage can occur if the tooth has experienced severe decay. In these circumstances, a crown may be recommended to cap the tooth and prevent any further damage.
Tooth decay can be detrimental to your child’s teeth, but easily prevented! Having a good dental hygiene routine and keeping it consistent can help avoid any unnecessary damage to your child’s teeth. Be sure to make sure they are brushing and flossing twice a day, keeping regular checkups, and receiving some form of fluoride treatment.
Sealants
Sealants are great tools in helping prevent cavities from forming. The dips and grooves on the chewing surface of your teeth are prime spots for cavities to form as they are hard to reach with your toothbrush, leaving foddering and bacteria behind even with a strict hygiene regimen. Tooth sealants help protect these areas but sealing these dips grooves and protecting those vulnerable spots from bacteria penetrating the surface of the tooth. Sealants are usually applied to the back teeth, as these are the main teeth we use to chew and are the most prone to cavities. Many sealants can last for several years, but may need to be reapplied over time.