Dental Hygiene And Home Care
At our office, we believe in helping educate our patients. Our dentist, Dr. Joe Rosenberg, and our teamwork to help patients learn how to take care of their teeth at home. By practicing proper dental hygiene, you can prevent tooth decay, gum disease and other issues from appearing or spreading. By taking care of your teeth, it can have a lasting positive effect on your health. To learn more about home care and dental hygiene in Great Bend or St. John, Kansas, call to arrange an appointment with Rosenberg Family Dentistry.
During your time at our office, our team works hard to improve your oral health. It is essential, however, that you continue taking care of your smile at home through consistent oral hygiene. Good dental hygiene includes a number of daily habits and practices that help to keep your smile healthy and bright. Our dentist and dental team recommend that you follow these basic steps to help your smile stay in optimal health:
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Brush your teeth after each meal or at least twice a day. We encourage you to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste that includes fluoride.
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Floss at least once every day. The most important time to floss is just before you go to sleep at night.
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Eat a balanced diet. Limiting your intake of very sugary and acidic foods can help to prevent tooth decay.
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Maintain your regular visits with our dentist every six months. During these visits, we will provide professional teeth cleaning and a thorough dental exam to make certain we provide any needed preventive or restorative treatments.
When you visit our dentist and team, we will review your dental hygiene habits with you and offer needed information on any additional steps you can take to further improve your oral health. To learn more about dental hygiene and to schedule your next appointment at our office, we welcome you to call or visit us today.
FAQ'S ABOUT DENTAL CLEANINGS
What should I expect from a dental cleaning?
Following your dental cleaning, you can expect clean teeth, fresh breath, and an attractive smile. Dental cleanings are painless, and usually take less than 45 minutes. During your cleaning, our dentist will scrape off any plaque on your teeth, and then clean and polish your teeth to remove bacteria biofilm on and between your teeth. We may also provide a fluoride treatment if it seems that your teeth are at a higher risk for tooth decay.
How often should I have my teeth professionally cleaned?
The American Dental Association recommends that both children and adults receive a professional teeth cleaning and exam twice a year. Patients with a history of periodontal disease or another recurring oral disease or condition may require more frequent treatments.
What can I do at home to maintain clean teeth?
You should brush your teeth in the morning and before you go to bed, or after each meal. You should also floss daily, and rinse with an anti-bacterial mouthwash. This will help keep your teeth and gums healthy between dental cleanings.
Remember to change your toothbrush every 2-3 months, and avoid using hard-bristled toothbrushes, and this can cause tooth sensitivity and promote bleeding gums.
If you are experiencing dental pain, contact our dentist. Waiting could make the problem worse, and early treatment is always easier to perform, less invasive, and less expensive.
What are the benefits of a dental cleaning?
Dental cleanings keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy, and help you avoid paying for expensive dental procedures in the future. For example, when gum disease is left untreated, you may require deep cleaning (scaling and root planing), gum grafting, bone grafting, or a tooth replacement.
What can happen if I do not keep my teeth clean?
The human mouth is full of bacteria. Some forms of bacteria are beneficial to your oral health, while some can be extremely damaging. When harmful bacteria accumulate on your teeth, they release acids that erode dental enamel and inflame the gums, causing tooth decay, periodontal disease, discoloration, and tooth loss. Other oral diseases may also develop as a result of these conditions. Practicing good oral hygiene at home and receiving regular dental cleanings help to remove harmful bacteria, plaque, and tartar from your mouth and keep your teeth and gums healthy.