The American Dental Association recommends that you brush twice a day and floss at least once a day to remove plaque and residual food particles from your teeth and along the gumline. This is a sound foundation for your daily oral hygiene routine.
When brushing your teeth, you should use a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste. Fluoride toothpaste will fortify the strength of your tooth enamel. Using a brand that also has micro-abrasives makes your toothbrush more efficient at cleaning the faces of your teeth. Be sure to brush each individual tooth in small circles to clean every surface.
Once you’re done brushing, you should floss between your teeth and along the gumline. If you have had a hard time working floss between your teeth in the past, you might want to use a wax-coated dental floss. The waxy coating makes it easier to slip the strain of floss into tight spaces without accidentally forcing it into your gums. You can rinse your mouth with antiseptic mouthwash to kill bacteria and freshen your breath. Just remember that this is not a viable alternative to flossing.
Before purchasing a new oral hygiene product, you should only consider one that has earned the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance. This seal means the product has been rigorously researched and tested for effectiveness and safety as part of a daily oral hygiene routine.
Your six-month dental checkup at Dr. Kolodner Dental Group Inc. is also important for maintaining good, long-term oral health. This will allow our team to clean away dangerous hardened tartar from your teeth and monitor your mouth for signs of tooth decay and gum disease. The checkup also includes a basic cancer screening for early detection of oral or pharyngeal cancer.
If you have any concerns about TMJ disorder or if you’ve experienced any discomfort in your jaw muscles, you should note that to Dr. Tatyana Kolodner so he can give it a closer look. At the conclusion of the checkup, he might recommend some basic maintenance treatments, such as a fluoride treatment or dental sealants.
If you live in the Studio City, California, area and you are concerned about some aspect of your oral health, you should call 818-761-9526 to schedule a dental checkup with one of our experienced dentists, Drs. Izabella Kolodner, Tatyana Kolodner, Edon Hirt, and Susan J. Lee. We look forward to serving your smile!