You feel good about the time and effort you put into brushing your teeth. Does this mean you have nothing to worry about at your next routine dental checkup? Feeling confident in your oral hygiene is good, but that certainty can be misguided if you are not flossing. People who floss infrequently – or not at all – can be vulnerable to cavities and gum disease because they are failing to remove harmful agents from between their teeth. As time passes, tartar can build in these spaces, and that makes oral health problems more likely. In addition to cleaning these spaces during your professional teeth cleanings, our Rochester, MN dentist’s office can help by pointing out this issue, and giving guidance on how you can more effectively maintain your oral health.
Your Oral Hygiene Routine May Be Less Thorough Than You Realize
Brushing is important, but it is not all that you should be doing if you want to avoid problems with tooth decay and gingivitis. The bristles of your brush are designed to clean between the cusps of teeth, and over their surfaces, but they are not so effective when you want to clean between teeth. While bristles can find it hard to reach these areas, bacteria and food debris can build up in them. In time, this puts you at risk for dental problems, and it can make you more vulnerable to bad breath.
Do The Following When Flossing
If you want to make sure the spaces between your teeth are staying clean, then you should floss on a daily basis. By doing this, you can remain confident that there is not an issue with tartar buildup that will hurt you later. You should also focus on fully cleaning these spaces by moving your floss string in a vertical motion. Passing the string back and forth only will clean part of the area where teeth meet. Unfortunately, this action can leave bacteria behind, particularly those bacteria that are gathering at the gum line.
Other Daily Behaviors That Help People Prevent Dental Problems
Remember that your diet can support your effort to maintain healthy teeth, but it can also undermine it. If you have recently had to have a dental filling or dental crown put in place, start looking at ways to cut back on sugar consumption. Dropping soft drinks can be particularly useful, as these beverages expose you to an alarming amount of sugar and also affect teeth due to their acidity.
Your Rochester, MN Dentist’s Office Helps Patients Maintain Clean, Healthy Smiles!
Your Rochester, MN dentist’s office is prepared to help patients in and around our community maintain healthy, lovely teeth. To do this, we provide support during preventive care, access to restorative treatments, and guidance to help you take better care of your smile at home. For more information, call Calcagno Cosmetic And Family Dentistry at (507) 281-3659.
