Cleanings and Preventive Dentistry

Spending a total of only five minutes a day on your dental care may seem easy, but getting that habit going is just as challenging as getting a workout routine going. Just like maintaining your physical fitness, oral health takes consistency. Consistently flossing, brushing, and having healthy habits is the best approach to good oral health to help avoid tooth loss later in life.

Gently brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes (that is, 30 seconds for each quarter of your mouth) is the usual requirement for proper oral health. If you have been told you are at high risk for gum disease and cavities, brushing or rinsing your mouth out immediately after each meal may be a huge help in keeping your teeth for your lifetime. To get started, dispense a small amount of toothpaste on a soft or extra soft bristle toothbrush. Although people often believe that a medium or hard bristle brush cleans better, it only serves to damage your gums. Use tooth-length circular motions and avoid using too much pressure to avoid gum damage. After brushing in small circular motions on the front and back of the teeth, you will also want to brush your tongue to avoid bad breath.

There are a few things in the world that are more difficult to do for people than flossing, but for preventing gum disease and between-the-teeth cavities, there is nothing more effective. Once plaque has been in between the teeth too long without being removed, it can harden into tartar and cause bone loss and inflammation surrounding your teeth. Once tartar has formed, it then has to be removed by either Dr. Bassett or a hygienist. For flossing, take a piece of floss that is approximately 8” and wrap around the middle fingers of each hand. Once the floss is wrapped securely, make sure there is a 1-inch section open for flossing. Using your pointer fingers, you can carefully push the floss in between your teeth. You will find yourself modifying your technique with time to be more effective, and flossing will take less and less time. Within a month of routine, most people find it difficult to feel like their mouth is clean without flossing before bed.

It may seem like eating right and oral health are not closely related other than curbing your sweet tooth, but a balanced diet is vital to clean and healthy teeth The longer these foods stay in contact with the teeth, the more damage they can do. Since many people only brush in the morning and at night, most damage occurs from snacking. If you find that you get cavities often and have not identified any disorders that make cavities easier to get, consider the frequency in which you expose your teeth to high-calorie foods. One of the most common culprits of chronic cavities is sipping coffee with cream and sugar over the course of the morning and never rinsing.

Regular dental visits can help Dr. Bassett check on you and your family’s dental health and hygiene. In addition, dental visits can do more than just keep your teeth healthy. Problems with teeth and gums are connected to an array of whole body diseases, including diabetes, high blood pressure, pregnancy complications, and Alzheimer’s. With regular visits, you and your loved ones can not only avoid expensive procedures to fix overlooked conditions, but also keep your entire body healthy.