Dr. Joel L. Schaffer Blog

Good dental health is the foundation of a beautiful smile. Poor dental health usually involves gum disease which can impair your general health. Gum disease has been linked to heart attacks and stroke and of course it causes pain, bleeding, tooth loss, gum recession and possibly bone loss. All of that is entirely avoidable.

The mouth always has bacteria and the goal of brushing and flossing is to keep their numbers down and prevent them from establishing themselves in nooks and crannies. Bacteria are single-celled organisms that feed on food particles left on the teeth and deposit excretions on the gums and teeth. They multiply and spread if they are not controlled.

Bacteria and their excretions are known as plaque. Plaque is acidic, which is why it wears holes in tooth enamel. Left on the teeth it will eventually harden and become tartar which cannot be brushed off. Our hygienists can remove tartar as well as discoloration, and their regularly-scheduled work will give you a fresh start each time in caring for your teeth.

Best Dental Hygiene Techniques

• Use a soft toothbrush and brush for at least two minutes, at least twice a day, and preferably after each meal. Brush in a circular motion and an up-and-down motion rather than horizontally. Be sure and brush the backs of all your teeth.
• Floss every night. Brushing does not clean the side surfaces of your teeth, and that is why flossing is the other half of daily dental hygiene. Use about 18 inches of floss and move it to a new patch for each between-teeth location. Use an up-and-down motion, curving the floss around the side surface of one tooth and then the side surface of the other. Try to avoid snapping the floss against your gums, as it can damage them.

If you would like to use a mouthwash, that is also beneficial although not essential.

If you brush and floss daily and come for regular check-ups and hygienist care, you can expect to enjoy good dental health for a lifetime.

To schedule your next professional cleaning and check-up, please call or email our general dentistry office today.