Dr. Distelhorst and many of her dental colleagues agree that the most effective way to prevent the need for extensive dental procedures like root canals is to maintain your oral health on an everyday basis. Many people will make excuses such as that they are just too busy and often forget to brush. Dr. Distelhorst and Streamside Dental urge you to think of it differently. If you are going to spend a certain amount of time on your dentistry no matter what, wouldn’t you rather spend minutes each day brushing, rather than a several hours in the dentist chair? Take a look through our guide to improving your oral health and remember to visit us at our Vail, CO office for regular cleanings.
Dr. Distelhorst and many of her dental colleagues agree that the most effective way to prevent the need for extensive dental procedures like root canals is to maintain your oral health on an everyday basis. Many people will make excuses such as that they are just too busy and often forget to brush. Dr. Distelhorst and Streamside Dental urge you to think of it differently. If you are going to spend a certain amount of time on your dentistry no matter what, wouldn’t you rather spend minutes each day brushing, rather than a several hours in the dentist chair? Take a look through our guide to improving your oral health and remember to visit us at our Vail, CO office for regular cleanings.
Proper Brushing
Proper brushing routines and techniques are the first line of defense against infection. Streamside Dental, located in Vail, CO, has outlined guidelines for brushing that state it should be done at least twice a day. That includes always before going to bed, because nighttime (when the mouth is constantly closed), is ideal for bacterial activity. While brushing you should hold the brush so that the bristles are angled slightly toward the gums while using short gentle strokes. Make sure to always brush the insides of the teeth as well as the chewing surfaces on the back teeth. Finally, something that many neglect, you should brush the tongue and gums to help reduce bacteria. A Sonicare® toothbrush can greatly improve the effectiveness of efficiency of your brushing. You should brush for a minimum of 2 minutes twice a day.
Flossing
Flossing is a crucial step to preventing dental problems and many people simply don’t do it. Dr. Distelhorst and the staff at Streamside Dental know that flossing is really the only way to clean plaque from between the teeth, so it is important that you don’t skip it. The proper flossing technique is to take about 18 inches of floss and wrap it around the forefinger of each hand. Then work it between the teeth by sliding back and forth. You should never just push it in because you may injure your gums. In each space between teeth concentrate on scraping toward one tooth then the other. Also don’t forget to scrape the back side of your back molars.
Cleaning Appointments
Aside from what you can do daily at home, the best way to prevent oral disease is to schedule a cleaning at Streamside Dental. Depending on what is best to keep your mouth healthy, dental cleanings and exams will be scheduled at a time interval best for you to maintain optimal oral health.