Dental Hygiene

When you care for your teeth properly, you can prevent cavities (caries) and serious problems like abscesses and gum infections. You’ll need to brush your teeth twice a day with a soft toothbrush. Place your brush at a 45 degree angle to your teeth and brush in circular motions for two full minutes.

You probably know that you should floss once a day. Did you also know that you should floss before you brush your teeth? Dental floss not only extracts food particles trapped in crevices between the teeth, it also scrubs away plaque, the sticky film that coats your teeth after bacteria have had a chance to thrive in this moist, nourishing environment! Brushing your tongue or using mouthwash is also helpful because it cleanses bacteria growing on the tongue.

The dual action of flossing and brushing scrubs away that plaque before it can harden into tartar (also called calculus). That’s the hard material your dental hygienist scrapes off your teeth during cleanings. The less tartar on your teeth, the less likely you are to develop cavities.

That’s why your cleanings, x-rays and examinations are so important. Make sure you come see us on your recommended schedule. For most people, that’s twice a year, but some people may need to come more frequently.

At some point in your life, you’ve probably noticed that an area of your gums was puffy and painful. Maybe you’ve seen some blood in the sink after brushing your teeth. These are signs of gum disease. Gingivitis is the first stage of disease. Signs of gingivitis include:

• Red, painful gums
• Gums that bleed after brushing, flossing or examinations
• Bad breath
• Gums that recede, making the teeth look longer

Periodontitis is the name of gum disease when it gets worse. Periodontitis occurs when gingivitis goes untreated. Symptoms include: 

• Gums that are sore when you press on them
• Red, shiny, swollen gums
• Bad breath or bad taste in the mouth
• Teeth that are slightly loose
• Spaces forming between teeth that were previously close together
• Any sign of pus coming out of the gums

Both gingivitis and periodontitis are treatable. When you see any of these signs, you should come see us right away. We can treat the immediate problem and teach you how to improve the health of your gums. If not treated, this disease can cause you to lose teeth. More importantly, the disease can spread to other organs. 

When gum disease is present, an abnormal amount of bacteria is thriving in the mouth. These bacteria can enter the bloodstream and infect other organs, particularly the heart, causing a condition called endocarditis. This means the lining and valves of the heart are inflamed due to the presence of bacteria that has migrated from the mouth or another part of the body. Endocarditis can damage your heart and even be life-threatening. 

Simply having a healthy, daily routine for cleaning your teeth and keeping all your hygiene appointments with us can go a long way toward protecting your overall health! It also means that you minimize your expense by avoiding serious dental problems. If you need help with your daily routine or you’re ready for your next cleaning and exam, call us at 703-596-1555 today.