In our Troy dentist office, we practice preventative care to help our patients feel their best by having healthy teeth and gums. It is important to take care of one's mouth with a good oral hygiene routine that involves brushing and flossing every day. Most people brush a couple of times a day, where flossing, on the other hand, is typically reserved for the most committed. While we would like for all of our patients to floss, we understand that a lot of people simply do not enjoy it. With this in mind, it is important to make sure that when you do floss, you are flossing correctly. Regular flossing may sound simple, but it is common for people to floss incorrectly and fail to get the benefits.
Anyone can purchase floss of various widths from a variety of stores. For someone with space between his or her teeth, however small, patients should purchase a thicker floss where those that have perfectly straight teeth will be fine using a thinner version.
Do not reuse the same strand of floss. Each time someone flosses his or her teeth, it is important to use a fresh piece of floss and reach between each tooth.
It is easier to irritate the gums and cause minor bleeding with flossing than some people realize. We can show patients how to gently slide the floss between the teeth then move it back and forth. The gentle touch will help the floss to ease into these tight spaces without hurting the gums.
Flossing can help to remove the plaque from between teeth and at the base of your gums. Gently maneuver the floss between the teeth and gums to remove any trapped food particles. Gentle but effective flossing is the most important step in the process and essential for preventing gum disease.
Flossing will remove all or most of the plaque and trapped food between the teeth. It has to go somewhere, so make sure to rinse the mouth afterward. We also recommend using an antiseptic mouthwash to kill any lingering bacteria.
In our Troy dentist office, we start teaching children about the importance of flossing from a young age and remind the adults that visit us to do the same. While this may seem like a common sense thing to do, those that don't floss can suffer a variety of health consequences. The least of which is severe bad breath. People that do not floss can start to have terrible breath as plaque and food remain in the mouth for a prolonged period of time, creating a foul smell. On a more serious note, failing to floss can lead to gum disease, which is a risky condition that causes bone and tooth loss. With this in mind, take a few minutes every day to floss your teeth the right way.
Finding the right dentist is important for your oral health and comfort. A local dentist near me offers several benefits, including convenience, personalized care, and the ability to build long-term trust with their patients. They engage with the community and provide a level of attention that larger and corporate-centric dental practices often cannot match. Below…
As a neighborhood kids' dentist, we enjoy treating our little patients. It is important to us that we help them to stay in good oral health to avoid cavities and toothaches. Being a kid should be full of good times, but a lot of what kids do includes unhealthy activities and foods. Halloween, for example,…
You are thinking of going to a dental office to get fluoride treatments, but you are not quite sure yet. You know that fluoride helps prevent cavities, but do you need a fluoride treatment? Find out more about fluoride treatments to determine if you should schedule one.Many people know that fluoride fights cavities, but few…
Patients often want to know how they can take better care of their teeth. Along with treating and cleaning a patient's teeth, we will also use this time to educate the patient on proper at-home care techniques. The bottom line is that proper oral hygiene takes both the dentist and patient providing care. Proper dental…
Are you looking for tips on caring for your dentures? Read on to learn more. Dentures have existed for hundreds of years and offer a fix for teeth loss, restoring appearance and oral function. According to the American College of Prosthodontists, 36 million Americans depend on dentures. These dental prosthetics are often required when several…
Sleep apnea disrupts breathing during sleep and increases the risk of daytime fatigue, headaches, and cardiovascular strain. A general dentist evaluates airway health during routine visits and identifies red flags such as snoring, grinding, and jaw crowding. When appropriate, the dentist collaborates with a physician to confirm a diagnosis, then offers practical options, often an…