subject: Daily Oral Care [print this page] You have many different responsibilities to maintain the health of your body. One of the most important is to make sure your teeth and gums are healthy. To effectively keep your teeth clean from plaque and decay, it is important that you take care of them every day. Talk to your Dubuque dentist about your daily oral care routine. He or she will be able to give you tips to make sure you are doing what you need to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Brushing And Flossing
Your responsibility to take care of your teeth and gums is mostly taken care of at home. Although brushing and flossing every day may seem like a mundane task to you, they are essential to maintain the health of your teeth and gums.
Follow these instructions for keeping your teeth and gums clean and you will be able to keep a healthy mouth and avoid costly and inconvenient dental procedures in the future:
*Brush your teeth at least twice per day, preferably after meals. Make sure to give yourself enough time to do a thorough job when you brush.
*Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. You can also use an electric toothbrush for optimal results.
*Hold the toothbrush at a slight angle against your teeth and use short back-and-forth motions to clean all of your teeth. Try not to use too much force as this can cause bleeding of your gums.
*Replace your brush at least every three to four months. This will keep the bristles effective at cleaning the plaque from your teeth.
*Floss in between your teeth every day. Brushing cannot reach certain areas so it is important for you to floss to remove plaque from in between your teeth.
Visiting Your Jackson Dentist
In addition to brushing and flossing, it is also important for you to visit your dentist in Jackson for regular cleanings and exams. Although brushing and flossing are effective at removing most of the plaque from your teeth, there are still areas that only your dentist will be able to clean by using special techniques and tools. In addition, performing a thorough exam of your teeth will allow for your dentist to spot any potential problems early on. If a problem is caught early on, it will almost certainly be easier and cheaper to deal with than if you wait until you are in pain. Talk to your dentist in Jackson if any of the following symptoms occur:
*Loss of permanent teeth
*Change in alignment of teeth or bite
*Sensitivity to heat or cold
*Red, tender or swollen gums
*Unusually bad breath or persistent bad taste in your mouth
*Gums that bleed easily
To learn more about the importance of daily oral care or to schedule an appointment, contact your dentist in Jackson today.
