Basic Dental Care in Suwanee

When most people think of maintaining good health, they don’t usually think of brushing and flossing their teeth, but those things are as essential as eating right and exercising. Research has established a correlation between good oral hygiene and good physical health, and serious diseases such as coronary disease, cancer, and diabetes have been linked to poor oral health. If you need to schedule an oral exam and teeth cleaning or if you have questions, call our Suwanee office, and we’ll be happy to answer all your questions.

What Should Basic Dental Care Consist Of?

At a minimum, your basic dental health regimen should consist of brushing and flossing at least twice daily and using fluoridated toothpaste. You should also have at least annual checkups and teeth cleanings from your Suwanee dentist. Twice-annual checkups are better but may not be feasible. However, it’s important to have at least annual checkups because your dentist may spot minor issues and correct them before they escalate.

Some diseases, such as oral cancer, may be present, but you may have no symptoms, so the disease may have spread before you were aware that you had it. We recommend that all our patients get an oral cancer screening along with their basic exam. The screening is neither invasive nor painful; your dentist will screen for oral cancer during your exam. If you need to schedule an exam and teeth cleaning, call our office, and we’ll help you.

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Do You Brush At Least Twice Daily?

The American Dental Association recommends brushing at least twice daily, in the morning and just before bedtime. After your bedtime brushing, don’t consume anything except clear water.

When you brush, spend at least 30 seconds on each quadrant of your mouth. The quadrants of your mouth are:

● The upper right side of your jaw

● The lower right side of your jaw

● The upper left side of your jaw

● The lower left side of your jaw

Your brushing routine should take a full two minutes. If you use an electric toothbrush, some models will notify you when two minutes have elapsed.

Also, use gentle pressure and a circular motion with back-and-forth strokes. This enables you to reach the maximum coverage with your brushing so that your teeth and gums are as clean as possible. Otherwise, the food particles and bacteria in your mouth can remain lodged between your teeth and gums and start the processes of decay and gum disease. Learn to brush your tongue to remove bacteria that can lodge on its rough surface.

In addition to using the correct technique, it’s important to use the proper toothbrush. Unless your dentist recommends otherwise, your toothbrush should have soft bristles of uneven lengths. This enables the bristles to reach the spaces between your teeth and gums and remove as many food particles as possible from the crevices as well as the surfaces of your teeth.

Ideally, you should replace your toothbrush every three months. However:

● If your toothbrush starts to look worn, replace it

● If it’s been three months and it looks in good condition, replace the toothbrush and brush

● If the bristles are frayed or splayed, replace the toothbrush

● If you’ve been sick and have recuperated, replace your toothbrush, so you avoid reinfection

Firm, rapid strokes aren’t more effective and can cause striations in your tooth enamel. When you brush, be sure to use slow movements and gentle pressure. If you have any questions, ask your Suwanee dentist.

Do You Use Fluoridated Toothpaste?

In the late 1950s, fluoride began to be a component of toothpaste and has since become a staple in the dental health industry. A naturally occurring mineral, fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and reduces the onset of cavities when used in conjunction with other good oral hygiene habits. Your toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, and mouthwash should all carry the ADA Seal of Acceptance so that you know you’re purchasing a quality product.

Many people are concerned that they’ll get too much fluoride in their diet since most municipalities now fluoridate their water supply. However, city water is fluoridated only to the minimum level for health, so it’s unlikely that you’ll get too much in your diet. If you have questions or concerns, however, ask your dentist.

Do You Floss Daily?

In addition to brushing a minimum of twice daily, you should floss at least once each day. Ideally, you should brush and floss after each meal or snack, but that’s not always an option. If you can’t brush and floss, rinse your mouth well with plain water to remove a substantial amount of food particles and bacteria.

If you floss only once daily, do it just before bedtime so that you don’t sleep with food particles and bacteria between your teeth. Whether you use traditional dental floss, floss picks, or a water flosser doesn’t matter as long as you floss.

Want More Tips for Basic Dental Care?

In addition to brushing and flossing, an antibacterial mouthwash is an excellent addition to your oral health habits. Use it daily to eliminate additional bacteria from your teeth, gums, and hard-to-reach areas.

Do You Need On-the-Go Tips?

If you travel frequently, you may find it helpful to assemble an on-the-go kit that includes travel-sized versions of your favorite dental items.

If there’s no alternative, you can rinse your mouth well with plain water to remove food particles and bacteria. Although this shouldn’t replace your regular dental hygiene habits, it’s a good option if nothing else is available.

Snacking on items such as fruits, nuts, and vegetables can also help with your dental hygiene. Choosing to snack on healthy items can improve your physical health and perhaps help if your scale doesn’t show the number you’d like.

Do You Practice Good Prevention Habits?

In addition to good dental hygiene habits, you need regular dental checkups to ensure that your teeth and gums are as healthy as possible. Professional cleaning is essential for removing any plaque lurking on the backs of your teeth or spotting any areas of decay or another disease you may not know exists. Your dentist is your best ally in fighting gum disease, cavities, and oral cancer. If you want to schedule an appointment or have questions, call our Suwanee office, and we’ll help you.

Ready for your checkup and teeth cleaning? Click here to schedule your appointment!

We Can Help You

If you haven’t had an oral exam in a while, call Town Center Dental at (678) 288-8938 to schedule one. We recommend that all our new patients receive an oral cancer screening along with their exam. Your dentist will perform them concurrently, and the screening is painless and non-invasive. Unfortunately, oral cancer presents asymptomatically, so you can have it without knowing it’s there. It spreads rapidly, so it’s important to catch it early. The incidence of oral cancer is growing and it now accounts for more than three percent of all new cancer diagnoses.

Call our office today to schedule your dental exam, screening, and cleaning so that you can maintain the best oral hygiene possible.

We look forward to speaking with you. 

 Ready for your checkup and teeth cleaning? Click here to schedule your appointment!