Dental health care extends far beyond visits to the dentist and daily brushing and flossing. Proper dental health care involves comprehensive cleanings that wipe away bacteria and food particles from the entire mouth.
This means a quick one-minute flossing and brushing will not suffice. In fact, brushing and flossing are the bare bones of the optimal oral hygiene.
Think of fluoride as your mouth's cheat code to health and beauty. Fluoride strengthens teeth, protecting enamel and the sensitive dentin below. You can obtain fluoride from tap water, toothpaste, mouth rinse and fluoride treatment trays at the dentist's office. Even if you do not want to swallow tap water, rinsing with it between flossing and brushing or throughout the day will certainly help.
The bottom line is the more fluoride your mouth is exposed to, the better it will look and function. Fluoride is absorbed right into the tooth enamel to repair this important protective layer and thwart tooth decay. It is even possible for fluoride to completely stop tooth decay.
So don't rinse off the toothpaste from your teeth after brushing. Let the toothpaste stay right there on your teeth to work is magic. If your teeth are weakening, ask your dentist about fluoride treatments in tray form. The dentist can fortify your teeth with the application of such a tray every six months or at whatever frequency is ideal for your unique oral health needs.
Plenty of people assume a thorough brushing is all that is necessary to prevent cavities. If you were to poll dentists, you would find most believe brushing is as important or even less important than flossing. What matters most is how you brush rather than the amount of toothpaste you use or the frequency of brushing.
You should brush your full mouth including the gums, teeth, the roof of your mouth, the insides of your cheeks and your tongue. The tongue is especially important in the context of brushing as it sponges up bacteria and bits of food. Clean your tongue from back to front with a toothbrush and toothpaste every single day.
If you are afraid of a gag reflex during such a cleaning, opt for a tongue scraper. When brushing your teeth, hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your mouth. Clean the entirety of each tooth. If necessary, apply toothpaste mid-brushing to ensure your entire mouth receives a full cleaning.
Get into the habit of flossing once or twice per day at a bare minimum. Bring floss with you so you can clean between the teeth after meals or snacks. Use two long pieces of floss during each cleaning session. One can work for the upper teeth and the other for the lower teeth.
Move the floss between the teeth and below the gum line. Guide the floss left and right when between the teeth to pull out all of those little bits of food and bacteria.
Call us at (559) 975-1213 for more information from Visalia Care Dental or to schedule an appointment in our dentist office in Visalia.
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