Three Quick Tips to Strengthen Teeth and Gums Between Teeth Cleaning Visits

Even if you brush your teeth every day and do everything you can to keep them clean, a professional teeth cleaning is still a good idea. Getting your teeth cleaned on a regular basis – at least twice a year – can significantly reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease.There are several reasons why a professional cleaning is a great way to augment your usual dental hygiene routine:

— A professional cleaning can disrupt plaque between teeth, where it can go unnoticed.

— A professional cleaning will help you diagnose problems, such as new cavities, faster.

— During a cleaning, your dentist can help you pinpoint ways you can brush or floss better.

Want to make the most of your time between cleanings and enhance your oral health? You can do it by making these tips part of your dental care strategy:

1) Remember to Massage Your Gums

One of the most important aspects of cleaning your teeth has less to do with teeth than you think. Massaging your gums helps to stimulate blood flow along the gum line and throughout the whole gum system. Gums are responsible for holding your teeth in, so this is critical!

2) Floss Using Dental Floss or a Water Tool

Experts have estimated that up to 49{3b0f9398becb40f4bdd8fe95c600d2c252c33730296b97da1b334948809cb5c4} of American adults skip flossing. When you are not used to it, flossing might seem challenging or uncomfortable. However, you get used to it fast – and it makes for great results during your cleanings by preventing hidden plaque deposits.

3) Clean the Hidden Surfaces of Your Teeth

Statistically, you are more likely to experience tooth decay and cavities in your back teeth than anywhere else in your mouth. Be careful of your back molars and of those “hidden” surfaces of your teeth that probably feel clean when you touch them with your tongue. They need brushing!

You should also schedule a dental check-up and cleaning any time you have a symptom that concerns you. Even something that seems very simple, such as ongoing bad breath, may be a sign of gum disease or another problem that you should get help with right away.

Our dental office is always ready to welcome you and see to all of your concerns in restorative dentistry, preventative dentistry, or even cosmetic dentistry. We look forward to greeting new and previous Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, and Westlake Village patients!