Your Dental Health

It's not easy to maintain consistently good oral health. That's because in the invisible but serious battle against gum disease and tooth decay, there's no neutral ground. You're either fighting it offensively, or you're losing. One moment after you brush and floss, those native oral bacteria are back at it again, repopulating their favorite playground, your mouth. Our approach to the battle includes not only the cleanings that we provide here, but an emphasis on careful patient education so that you can continue the battle effectively at home.

To maintain your dental health

• Achieve a balanced diet. This can be achieved by eating a variety of foods preferably from each of the five major food groups: breads, cereals and other grain products, fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry and fish, milk, cheese and yogurt.

• Limit the number of snacks that you eat. If you do snack, choose nutritious foods, such as cheese, raw vegetables, plain yogurt, or a piece of fruit. Each time that you eat foods that contains sugars or starches, brush your teeth. Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Clean between your teeth daily with floss or interdental cleaners.

• Maintain your regularly scheduled check-ups with our office.

Proper daily dental hygiene is critical

The best way to remove decay-causing plaque is by brushing and cleaning between your teeth everyday. Brushing removes plaque from the tooth surfaces. Cleaning between the teeth once a day with floss or interdental cleaners removes plaque from between the teeth and in areas where the toothbrush cannot reach. It is essential in preventing gum disease.

How do I brush my teeth?

Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums. Move the brush back and forth gently in short, tooth-wide strokes. Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces and the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Use the "toe" of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up and down stroke. Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

How do I floss my teeth?

Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers. Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums. When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth. Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gums with an up and down motion. Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth.