Have you been to our general dentist office lately? If not, it is time to brush up on your knowledge of oral health. Most people know that they should brush their teeth, visit a dentist, drink milk and avoid sugar. That, however, is often the extent of the knowledge people have relating to their teeth. In our office, we want you to be an educated patient because that will help you to make the choices necessary to keep your teeth and gums healthy all year long. With that in mind, we have made a list of the questions we are regularly asked by patients and our answers to them.
No, we do not recommend only brushing once per day. This is dangerous for your oral health. In fact, if it were up to us, you would brush your teeth three times per day. Brushing your teeth is critical for removing plaque and bacteria before they can cause gum disease or a cavity to form. The best defense you have is being proactive in removing things from your teeth as quickly as possible.
If you are in a situation that will not allow for you to brush throughout the day, you should at least rinse your mouth after every meal or snack. Still, we recommend using a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste while brushing for two minutes, twice a day, every day.
You may have gum disease. This is a common condition that starts when the plaque becomes stuck underneath your gums. Most of the time, you will also have other symptoms like swollen or red gums that accompany the bad breath. Otherwise, you may be suffering from dry mouth or a lack of saliva. A dry mouth will smell stale where a moist mouth will be fresh.
Simply drink more water and avoid anything that could dehydrate you. As a general dentist, we can treat your bad breath by finding what the underlying cause is, so call our office if you are dealing with this challenge.
If you want to avoid a major toothache and intensive procedure, then treating the cavity is the best solution. Treating your cavities immediately is the best option for preventing future irritation. When a cavity is small, the treatment is fast, easy and comfortable. We simply remove the decayed area, clean the tooth, and restore the tooth structure with a crown or filling. Many people simply ignore the discomfort, which is not wise because failure to treat a cavity can help it spread.
In our general dentist office, we have found that it is incredibly common to develop a toothache or headache after an episode of nighttime grinding. Unfortunately, grinding your teeth can lead to your teeth becoming chipped. If you suffer from this condition, it is entirely treatable. Simply wear a mouthguard at night and your teeth will be unable to touch or grind. To learn more, call our general dentist office at (512) 864-9010.
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