Brush Twice a Day

Daily dental care is just as important as maintaining routine dental appointments. Brushing for two minutes, morning and night, is required to properly remove plaque buildup. Depending on your diet and the spacing of your teeth, your dental professional may suggest brushing more often per day.

Angle the bristles toward the gum line, then brush the outside, inside, and chewing surfaces of each tooth. Brush your tongue to prevent bad breath; the white film you find on your tongue is bacterial buildup.

Toothbrushes have a limited lifespan, so be sure to replace them every 3 months and after getting sick!

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Floss at Least Once a Day

Flossing alone cleans 40% of the tooth surface. Flossing at least once daily helps clean areas that your toothbrush can’t reach. It can also help remove plaque build-up and remaining food particles that can cause cavities and gum disease.

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Oral Rinse (Mouthwash)

Using an oral rinse or mouthwash may be a helpful addition to your oral care routine. Its active ingredients kill bacteria and can help reduce plaque, gingivitis, and bad breath.

An oral rinse with fluoride helps prevent or reduce tooth decay. Studies have shown that oral rinses can reduce plaque and other signs of gingivitis when used in addition to toothbrushing compared with toothbrushing alone.

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Signs of Gum Disease

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a serious oral health condition that can damage the hard and soft tissue around the teeth.

Gum disease can range from a mild form known as gingivitis, with signs such as red, irritated gums that bleed easily, to a serious condition known as periodontitis, which causes the gums to become swollen, pull away from the teeth, and form pockets that can become infected.

Healthy gums are firm, pale pink, and fit closely around teeth.  See your dental provider as soon as you can if you have the following symptoms:

  • Bleeding gums while brushing or flossing
  • Tender/sore gums
  • Persistent bad breath, or
  • Difficulty flossing

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Signs of Cavities

In between your routine visits to a dental provider, it is useful to perform regular visual inspections of your teeth.

  • White and brown spots on your teeth are early signs of cavities.
  • Black spots and holes in your teeth are signs of moderate to severe tooth decay.
  • Sensitivity to foods high in sugar.
  • Pain near your ear or the bottom of your jaw

When signs of moderate to severe tooth decay are visible, it is wise to schedule a visit with your dental provider to prevent the infection from spreading.

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Signs of Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

Bruxism is a condition in which you grind or clench your teeth. If you have bruxism, you may unconsciously clench or grind your teeth during the day or when you sleep. If you suffer from:

  • Sore cheek muscles
  • Sore jaw
  • Sensitive teeth

…and you notice the length of your teeth shortening, you may be grinding or clenching your teeth. Let your dental provider know of these signs so that they can provide or recommend a preventive appliance, such as a mouth guard, to protect your teeth.

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