Why is brushing and flossing important?
The best way to remove decay-causing plaque is by brushing and cleaning between your teeth every day. Brushing removes plaque from the tooth surfaces.
Important Tips for Brushing
- Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small strip of fluoride toothpaste.
- Move the brush in small, circular motions to reach food particles under your gum line.
- Hold the toothbrush at an angle and brush slowly, covering all areas between teeth, around braces, and on all surfaces of each tooth.
- Brush upward on the lower teeth and downward on the upper teeth.
- Brush the outside, inside, and chewing surfaces of your teeth.
- Brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth before rinsing.
Important Tips for Flossing
- Floss daily to remove food particles and plaque between teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach.
- Use care around your archwire if wearing braces; avoid flossing too forcefully.
- After flossing between your archwire and braces, floss between other teeth and gums.
- Slide floss up and down gently until teeth feel clean and you hear the “squeak” of clean enamel.
What about cosmetic dentistry?
A smile is often the most eye-catching feature of the face. With today’s dental advancements, you no longer have to live with stained, chipped, or misshapen teeth. Even subtle changes can have a dramatic effect on your appearance and confidence.
Common Cosmetic Dentistry Options:
- Tooth Whitening (Bleaching): Brightens discolored or stained teeth; can be done in-office or with an at-home system provided by your dentist.
- Bonding: Repairs chipped, cracked, broken, stained, or gapped teeth using tooth-colored materials.
- Enamel Shaping: Modifies the appearance of teeth by contouring enamel; often combined with bonding.
- Veneers: Thin, custom-made shells that cover the front of teeth to correct gaps, chips, stains, poor shape, or slight misalignment.
- Braces/Orthodontics: Straightens teeth that are crooked, crowded, or misaligned.
What is plaque?
Plaque forms when bacteria in your mouth produce acids from foods you eat—especially sugars and starches like candy, bread, crackers, and cereal. Frequent snacking can lead to continuous acid attacks, which eventually cause tooth decay.
Plaque also irritates gums, making them red, tender, and prone to bleeding. If untreated, gum tissue can pull away from teeth, forming pockets that trap more bacteria, leading to periodontal disease—a major cause of tooth loss in adults.
Prevention:
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Limit between-meal snacks.
- Choose healthy options like raw vegetables, yogurt, cheese, or fruit.
What should I do in a dental emergency?
Prevent dental injuries by:
- Wearing a mouthguard during sports.
- Avoiding chewing ice, hard candy, or popcorn kernels.
- Cutting tape with scissors instead of your teeth.
Emergency Tips:
Bitten Lip or Tongue: Clean with a cloth, apply a cold compress, and seek emergency care if bleeding doesn’t stop.
Broken Tooth: Rinse with warm water, apply a cold compress to reduce swelling, and call your dentist immediately.
Knocked-Out Tooth: Hold by the crown, rinse gently (do not scrub), and try to place it back in the socket. If not possible, store it in milk and get to the dentist quickly—bring the tooth with you.
Objects Caught Between Teeth: Remove gently with dental floss; never use sharp instruments. Contact your dentist if unsuccessful.
Toothache: Rinse with warm water, floss gently, and avoid placing painkillers directly on gums. If pain persists, contact your dentist.
What is a root canal?
A root canal treats problems of the tooth’s soft core (dental pulp). In the past, teeth with diseased or injured pulp were removed—now, root canal treatment allows dentists to save them.
Treatment Steps:
- An opening is made through the crown into the pulp chamber.
- The diseased pulp is removed.
- The root canal is cleaned, shaped, and medicated if needed.
- A temporary filling is placed to protect the tooth.
- At the final visit, the canal is sealed and the tooth is restored—usually with a gold or porcelain crown.