Preventive Dental Care at Home Indianapolis
It is vital to your overall oral health to properly care for your teeth and gums. Brushing and flossing your teeth does not only prevent gum diseases, but also work together to ensure the removal of plaque which is the primary cause of bad breath and tooth decay.
At Detail Dental Indianapolis, our team is committed to your oral health care treatment in the office, but here’s what you can do at home to protect your dental against gum disease and make sure your smile lasts a lifetime.
Customized Indiana at Home Prevention Measures
Brush your teeth. Brushing after meals helps remove food debris and plaque trapped between your teeth and gums. Don’t forget to include your gums and tongue. The bacteria that cause bad breath thrive on your tongue.
Floss. Flossing at least once a day helps remove food particles and biofilms between teeth that you can’t reach with your toothbrush. It also helps with a dental cleaning.
Mouthwash. Using an approved mouthwash can help reduce biofilms and remove small pieces of food that brushing and flossing missed.
Know your risk. Age, smoking, and poor diet can increase your risk of all increase your risk for periodontal disease. If you want to learn more about preventing periodontal disease, schedule a dental appointment in Indianapolis to discuss it with one of our doctors or hygienists.
How to Properly Brush and Floss
- Place the toothbrush against the gums at a 45-degree angle.
- Using light pressure, move the brush in a circular motion covering the gums and teeth.
- Brush the inside and outside of your teeth and the chewing surfaces.
- To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, hold the toothbrush vertically.
- Brush the teeth for 2 minutes in total 2 times each day.
What if I Brush incorrectly?
Brushing and cleaning your teeth correctly is essential for maintaining good oral hygiene and dental health. However, using an incorrect dental brushing technique can cause harm to your gums.
The gingival margin is the part of the gum that comes into contact with the crown of the tooth. Brushing too hard can damage the part of your gums that touches your teeth, possibly triggering bleeding and recession.
What not to do when brushing your teeth:
- Apply too much pressure
- Use a hard or medium-bristled toothbrush
- Brush the teeth in a broad, horizontal motion
Gum Recession?
Healthy gums fit tightly around the crowns of the teeth. Gum recession occurs when they pull away or recede, exposing the roots below. Unlike the tooth’s crown of the tooth, the roots do not have a protective enamel coating making them more sensitive to decay. Once the gum tissue has receded from the teeth, it cannot grow back. However, there are ways of treatment in which we can surgically manipulate the gums to help cover exposed root surfaces.