Practicing healthy habits daily is key to improving your well-being in all aspects of life. For your oral health, this means taking time each day to clean your teeth and making food and drink choices that support a bright smile. To best serve your oral health and appearance, you should combine your daily efforts with routine visits to your local dentist. When you seek a cleaning and examination every six months, you receive an opportunity to examine the results of the work you put in to take care of your smile each day. Semiannual cleanings help you prevent the buildups of plaque and tartar that lead to decay and disease, so do not negate this important aspect of oral hygiene.
At your Prairie Village, KS dentist’s office, we go over brushing and flossing methods with each of our patients during your general checkups. When you remove the sticky buildup of food debris each morning and night, you form the basis for protecting your teeth against cavities and other threats to oral health.
What Happens When Bacteria Deposits On The Surface Of Your Enamel
The reason you must brush and floss every single day is to remove the buildup of dental plaque that forms a sticky film on the surface of your teeth. If you neglect this daily practice, you place your oral health in jeopardy by providing a breeding ground for decay-causing bacteria. As bacteria feed on remnants from your meals, they produce an acidic byproduct that can weaken your enamel. As your protective layer erodes, permanent holes called cavities form and expose the inner parts of your tooth. Left untreated, decay continues to grow, destroying your tooth and potentially leading to an infection.
Brushing Your Teeth
Select a toothbrush with soft bristles to remove plaque without harming your gums. Preventing discomfort during your morning routine can improve your odds of regularly maintaining it! When shopping for toothpaste, picking one with fluoride grants additional protection by reinforcing the strength of your enamel. A remineralization process can reverse weakening caused by acidic decay when you use a fluoride product daily.
Don’t Forget To Floss!
You are not finished with your oral routine until you have flossed each day! This habit is key to removing plaque between your teeth that the bristles of your brush cannot reach. Focus on pulling the string of your floss against the edge of each tooth and go all the way to your gum. Be gentle to avoid injuring your gingival tissues.
Attend A Dental Checkup With Your Prairie Village, KS Dentist Soon!
When you combine your daily brushing and flossing habits with regular trips to the dentist, you can maintain a winning smile for an entire lifetime! For more information or to schedule a visit, please contact your Prairie Village, KS dentist’s office at 913-901-8585. Our office is located on the southwest corner of 75th and State Line at the Crossroads of Prairie Village, Waldo, Brookside, Mission Hills, Leawood, and Overland Park.
