Preventive Dentistry

Flossing is a very important aspect of your oral hygiene routine. Flossing is an effective way to clean the areas where cavities are most likely to develop—the tiniest and most difficult to reach areas in your mouth.

Flossing is critical to preventing tooth loss and gum disease. It is also an important preventive dentistry measure, as it can prevent future oral surgery costs.

Here are some pointers to help you get the most out of flossing:

Use What Works for You: Some people prefer traditional ribbon floss, while other prefer floss pics with easy to use handles. Find the option that you are most comfortable with, and that works well for you.

Be Gentle: Flossing is not a race — navigate the floss gently between your teeth, in a sawing motion. Do not quickly jab the floss in the crevices of your teeth, as this can damage your gums.

Clean the Sides: Pull the floss sideways and clean the sides of your teeth.

Don’t Forget the Back: a common area people forget to floss is the back sides of the last teeth.

 

While eating throughout the day, we don’t tend to give our teeth much thought. Sugary foods and temperature extremes can cause a great deal of stress to our teeth. To ensure optimal oral health, prevention is a much better alliterative to treatment.

Healthy dental routines such as regular brushing and flossing are important to ensure a healthy smile. But did you also know that your diet has an impact on your oral health? Try to avoid foods that are sticky, or get wedged in our teeth. These types of foods can loosen fillings, and even cause a disruption to crown.

Healthy alternatives to ensure a bright and healthy smile include nuts, cheeses, and milk. The high levels of calcium and phosphorus in these foods can help strengthen and protect tooth enamel.  Also, foods with a high water contact are the best for your teeth, such as fruits and vegetables. The water contained in these foods helps to wash away bacteria and dilute sugar effects.

The most important aspect of a healthy smile is to ensure a regular preventive dentistry routine. Request an appointment today with your favorite Western New York Dental Group practice location, and keep on smiling!