Los Angeles Dentist Gives Ten Dental Hygiene Tips

We all remember our parents hounding us to brush our teeth twice a day or more when we were kids, right? So why IS it so important to brush our teeth and go to the dentist? Because for one thing, our teeth allow us to have proper speech, and second, to eat and chew a variety of foods. Third it’s a plus to have a nice smile!  Yet why then are so many people reluctant to brush their teeth?  

It is estimated that about 90 percent of adults will suffer from gum disease at some point in their lives, and it does not discriminate by age. Gum disease is caused in part by plaque, which is a film that builds up along the upper and lower gum lines. This is where food and germs get trapped, often causing bleeding and tenderness. If plaque is left on the gums for a long time, tartar, a much harder substance, will form underneath the gum line, and cause tooth decay. This is the first stage of gum disease, and it is known as gingivitis – when the plaque builds up enough to cause gums to bleed.

A second and even more serious stage of gum disease is called periodontitis – something that occurs if gingivitis is left untreated, and it is when pockets that collect food become infected. Your teeth may begin to loosen, and you could lose them. Preventing gum disease is as easy as following a daily home dental hygiene program. And you should also make sure to visit your dentist regularly. If you think maybe you have gum disease, call a dentist right away.  

Good dental hygiene habits need to begin when your first set of teeth come in as a child. Following are the top ten dental care tips: 

1. Choose the right toothbrush – with bristles that are soft and have a round end.
2. Floss and brush your teeth two times a day.
3. A  toothbrush should be placed at a 45 degrees angle to the gums; brush in small circles.
4. Back and forth brushing should be done on all the teeth – inside and outside.
5. Back teeth and chewing areas are key; brush all gum areas and the tongue too.
6. At least three minutes on brushing your teeth every time is important.
7. To protect against germs, put your toothbrush in the dishwasher often.
8. Replace your toothbrush every four months or less.
9. Visit your dentist every six months for professional cleaning and an exam.
10. Use a floss strand 18 inches long, placing it in between your teeth and gently use a sawing motion until you reach the gum line. Scrape the side of each tooth in an up-and-down motion. This is repeated around each and every tooth.

In my practice, at Wilshire Dental Care we see many patients who could have avoided the costs associated with not taking care of their teeth. But if you brush your teeth on a daily basis, and visit a Los Angeles dentist often, you should have a nice smile for many years.