subject: What You Should Know About Daily Oral Care [print this page] You have many different responsibilities to keep your body healthy. One of the most important is to maintain the health of your gums and teeth. To keep your smile beautiful and healthy, it is essential that you brush and floss your teeth every day. Talk to your Bowie dentist about how to take care of your teeth and gums. He or she will be able to recommend tips and treatments for achieving optimal oral health.
Brush And Flossing At Home
Your responsibility to take care of your teeth and gums begins when you are at home. Although brushing your teeth and flossing every day may seem like a mundane task, they are essential to maintain the health of your teeth and gums.
Follow these basic instructions for keeping your teeth and gums clean and you will be able to keep your mouth healthy and avoid costly dental problems in the future:
*You should brush your teeth at least twice per day, preferably after meals. 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 doing so can cause bleeding of your gums.
*Be sure to replace your toothbrush every three to four months or when bristles are worn down. This helps to keep your toothbrush effective at cleaning your teeth.
*Floss every day to clean the spaces in between your teeth. Brushing does not reach these areas so plaque can easily build up if you do not floss.
Visiting Your Bowie Dentist
In addition to daily flossing and brushing, it is also very important for you to visit your dentist on a regular basis. Although daily brushing and flossing are very effective at removing plaque from your teeth, there are certain areas that only your dentist can clean by using special tools and techniques. By performing a thorough examination of your teeth, he or she will be able to spot any potential problems before they become more serious. If a problem is caught early on, it will almost certainly be easier and cheaper to deal with than if you wait until it becomes a serious problem for you to see your dentist. Talk to your dentist in Bowie if you experience any of these symptoms:
*Change in alignment of teeth or bite.
*Loss of permanent teeth.
*Gums that bleed easily.
*Sensitivity to heat or cold.
*Unusually bad breath or constant bad taste in your mouth.
*Red, tender of swollen gums.
To learn more about the importance of daily oral care or to schedule an appointment, contact your dentist in Bowie, MD today.
