Are you one of those people who put off visiting the dentist for as long as possible? Maybe you think that you are capable of taking care of your teeth without assistance, or perhaps you consider that your teeth are fine without regular attention from a dentist. While visiting a dentist when your teeth are causing you pain is certainly important, that isn't the only time that you should visit your dentist. Your dentist is a valuable partner when it comes to caring for your teeth, and you should be making regular visits to your local dentist for check-ups even if you think there is nothing wrong. Here are two things that your dentist can show you.
Your dentist can teach you how to brush your teeth
You might think that brushing your teeth is easy, but when was the last time that you had your brushing technique checked? Often, people can be tempted to miss teeth at the back of their mouth or to brush their teeth too hard. Brushing too hard is an especially common problem and can lead to receding gums. Patients can often make a similar mistake with flossing, assuming that the harder they floss, the more effective they are being. The truth is that flossing with excess pressure can damage the surface of your teeth. Good flossing is about wrapping the surface of your teeth, not applying pressure. Your dentist will be able to help you develop the correct brushing and flossing techniques so that your teeth receive the care that they need.
Your dentist can show you how to remove plaque
Plaque is a serious problem for everyone. Bacteria constantly attack teeth, and the only way to remove the plaque is regularly brushing for a full two minutes. Your dentist will be able to show you how to do this. Failing to remove plaque will lead to its hardening and turning into tartar, which will need to be scraped away by your dentist. Plaque that is not carefully removed can result in tooth decay and bone loss, requiring further dental treatment.
Establishing a good oral hygiene routine isn't hard, but receiving the help of a qualified and experienced dentist can show you how to take care of your teeth and avoid the need for emergency dental treatment. Give your local dentist a call today and find out how they can help you keep your teeth in great shape.
Share18 May 2020
When I had my first child, I was a nervous wreck. Every book I read gave different advice, and I just wanted to be right! By the time I had my third child, some of the stress had abated. I now realised, there were tons of different perspectives on everything related to raising children including dentistry. To help parents, I have created this blog dedicated to unraveling dental myths about children. I am including posts that weigh both sides of issues such as thumb sucking, dental caries, breastfeeding, flossing and any other topic I can think of. I hope you find the information you need to unravel dental myths, but most importantly, I hope you find some peace of mind. With kids and dentistry, there can be more than one right answer, and I want you to be able to relax and go with the answer that's right for you.
