Our mouths are full of hundreds of good and bad bacteria. The good bacteria help your oral health, while the bad bacteria emit acids that destroy your tooth enamel and form the infections that lead to cavities. If left untreated, the bad bacteria in those cavities eventually reach into the deeper layers of your tooth, which cause pain and potential tooth loss.
To give your teeth and gums a fighting chance against bad bacteria accumulating in the mouth, rinse your mouth regularly with water to remove sugar, acidic drinks, snacks, and food stuck on or around your teeth and floss and brush your teeth gently at least twice a day.
When flossing guides the floss between your teeth in a soft up-and-down motion—not snapping it against your gums. Improper flossing and brushing can cause your gums to recede and or bleed increasing your chances of developing gum disease.
When brushing, hold the brush at a 45-degree angle from your gums and gently move the brush back and forth using short, tooth-wide strokes. As with flossing, pressing down too hard can wreak havoc on your teeth and gums.
Visit us to learn more about ways to increase the life expectancy of your teeth and the health of your gums.