Teeth Cleaning / Tooth Cleaning and Dental Hygiene

Modesto, Manteca, Ceres, Turlock, Salida, Ripon, California Dentist

Caring Family Dentistry

 

“Brush and floss every day” is the advice parents, teachers, and dental hygienists often give us on the topic of keeping our teeth and gums healthy. But how many times a day should we brush? How many times should we floss? Is there a special technique?

 

All of these questions are prompted by the simple recommendation
we receive to maintain good dental hygiene. Usually, the best
resource to answer all of these questions is our general dentist.
At Sierra Dental Care, we want to provide you with a comprehensive,
easy-to-understand guide to dental hygiene.

 

Brushing Your Teeth

 

Ideally, you should brush your teeth after each meal. However, it is possible to brush your teeth too much. Your teeth are covered by a thin layer of enamel that is resilient but not indestructible. Finding a toothbrush that thoroughly cleans the surface of your teeth but doesn’t damage them has to do with how vigorous of a brusher you are.

 

A simple guideline is: when you are in the dentist chair, ask your dentist if he has a recommendation for you personally. He may recommend that you brush at a different angle or use a different type of toothbrush than what you are currently using.

 

You should brush your teeth:

• 2-3 times a day
• Carefully, making sure to brush to your gum line
• In different directions, to help remove more plaque
• Thoroughly, making sure to brush all of your teeth, not just those in front
• With a toothpaste recommended by your dentist

 

Brushing your tongue can help minimize bad breath.

 

A visual guide to brushing your teeth is provided by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association.

Flossing

 

Some dental hygienists may tell you that flossing is as important as, or even more important than, brushing your teeth. Flossing is important because no toothbrush, no matter how it is designed, can reach the areas where your teeth touch against one another. Because this is a major area for plaque and tarter to build up, failing to floss regularly can lead to cavities and gum disease, even if you brush your teeth as frequently and thoroughly as is recommended.

 

Flossing your teeth at least once a day will protect you against cavities and infection. Ideally, you should floss every time you brush your teeth.

 

A visual guide to flossing is provided by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association.

 

Teeth Cleaning

 

Dental hygiene does not only consist of brushing and flossing, but also includes having regular teeth cleanings. You should have your teeth cleaned at least once a year, but preferably every six months.

 

Brushing your teeth can remove much of the build-up of plaque that you accumulate daily by eating, but it can’t remove all of it. Rather than trying to remove plaque by brushing your teeth harder (this will only damage your enamel), brush them thoroughly and let your family dentist remove the build-up of hard tartar with tools specially designed to do so.

 

If you need a teeth cleaning / tooth cleaning, please contact the our family dentistry office at Sierra Dental Care today to schedule your appointment. We serve patients in Modesto, Ripon, Ceres, Manteca, Salida, and Turlock, California as well as the surrounding areas.