The Basics of Keeping Your Smile Healthy

Brushing for two minutes twice a day and flossing at least once a day removes food debris, prevents plaque from hardening into tartar, freshens breath, removes surface stains, and helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, hold it at a 45-degree angle, and brush in small, circular motions. Curve your floss around each tooth, avoid snapping the string up and down, and use a clean section each time you move.

Gum disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss, but it’s also been linked to a 50% increase in your chances of having a heart attack, stroke, and many other potentially deadly health complications. Luckily, it’s treatable and preventable. Your oral hygiene regimen is essential in the fight against gingivitis, which in its later stages is known as periodontitis—at this stage, it can even cause your jawbone to deteriorate.

Have you heard that one American per hour dies of oral cancer? That equates to about 8,000 deaths annually. One of the reasons it claims so many lives is because it’s often found in later stages. Tobacco and alcohol use still remain high risk factors, but Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is reportedly the #1 risk factor. We screen our patients at each visit with OralID™, a fluorescence tool that illuminates abnormalities. We want to keep you informed and safe so you can have peace of mind.

Maintaining optimal oral health includes protection from injury. You know not to open packaging with your teeth, for example, but do you know the importance of wearing a mouthguard when playing contact sports or wearing a nightguard to prevent nighttime bruxism? For maximum protection from traumatic injuries, we recommend a customized mouthguard, and to help alleviate TMJ pain and excessive wear of your teeth, we can create comfortable nightguards.