Did you know that a combination of good oral hygiene habits at home, or visits for checkups and cleanings every six months, could help you avoid dental disease, cavities, and even tooth loss? In today’s blog, your Brighton, MA, dentists explain how to prevent poor oral health and help protect smiles with better brushing and flossing, and visits for cleanings.
Brushing and Flossing
Did you know that simple brushing and flossing habits could protect your smile from major dental disease and tooth loss? However, to be effective you need to clean your teeth properly. To begin, choose a toothbrush, whether electric or manual, that has soft bristles. We don’t want inadvertent enamel damage if you brush too hard. Then, make sure your toothpaste has fluoride, look for those words on the packaging, or possibly the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. You should clean your teeth in the morning and once more at night for about two minutes each session.
Flossing is also crucial as this extracts and removes bits of food left between the teeth or along the gum line, out of your toothbrush bristles’ reach. You should take an 18inch to 20inch length of tape and tie each and around one of your thumbs, then hold it tight with your index fingers. Run the tape up and down each side of every tooth, and dip below the gum line too. This should be done every evening without exception. These actions remove stray food particles to deny harmful oral bacteria of a meal, reducing the severity of plaque buildup and lowering the risk of cavities and gum disease.
Checkups and Cleanings
You should also see us for a checkup and cleaning every six months. With the checkup, we keep a close eye on your smile for possible signs of trouble. We then create a treatment plan to address them and protect your oral health. A cleaning is vital too, as we remove all plaque and tartar from your smile to protect your oral health, and also offer brighter teeth and fresher breath. These visits benefit people of all ages, from kids to adults.
Treatment Options
If you do have a cavity, we can address the issue in one visit with a lifelike filling. We can also reverse gingivitis or manage gum disease with a scaling and root planing, followed by routine cleanings every three to four months. If you have any questions, give us a call!
Do You Have Questions About Preventive Dentistry?
We want to help you and your family avoid the onset of poor oral health. To learn more about preventive dentistry, then schedule a consultation by calling Brighton Family Dental Group in Brighton, MA, today at (617) 562-5210. We proudly welcome patients from Cambridge, Brookline, and all surrounding communities.
