Improving Your Family’s Oral Hygiene
July 22, 2019
Maintaining good oral hygiene helps safeguard your smile against an array of oral health concerns, from cavities to gum disease, and more! In today’s blog, we want to explain how we help families in Kansas City, MO, enjoy optimal oral health. What happens during hygiene appointments, and how do you care for teeth and gums from home?
Checkups and Cleanings
A general hygiene appointment for you or a member of your family will involve a checkup and cleaning. Everyone benefits from these visits, we recommend them every six months for children ages 2 and up, and adults and seniors as well. If you have high risk factors for gum disease, then a visit every three to four months may be suggested as well. During your checkup, we employ advanced technology to carefully examine your smile and assess the state of your oral health. We uncover the earliest stages of tooth decay, infection, gingivitis, and gum disease. The earlier we identify the issue, the sooner we can begin treatment. For adults, we will also screen for oral cancer once a year.
The cleaning portion removes all plaque and tartar from your smile. Caused by bacteria breaking down food particles, plaque weakens tooth enamel and inflames gum tissue, boosting the risk of cavities and gum disease unless removed. While brushing and flossing help control the buildup, only a professional cleaning removes all plaque and tartar from the smile completely. We then complete the visit with a tooth polishing, which helps ensure you leave with a bright, beautiful smile!
Brushing and Flossing
As part of your visit, we will also discuss proper brushing and flossing. As soon as our first teeth erupt, we need to begin brushing them. For optimal oral health, we will suggest brushing your teeth when you wake up and again before going to bed, using a toothbrush that has soft bristles and a toothpaste that contains fluoride. You need to floss in between your teeth before going to bed, and possibly after each meal as well. These steps help keep your smile healthy and bright, and offer optimal oral health when done in conjunction with regular visits for checkups and cleanings.
Talk to Your Dentist
How often do you need to see the dentist? When should you start bringing your children in, and what care is necessary to help safeguard the teeth and gums? In addition to following the general advice in this blog, you need to see your dentist. Remember, every person’s smile is unique, and may require a unique approach!
Schedule a Hygiene Visit for Your Family
With routine care and hygiene appointments we can help children and adults enjoy optimal oral health. To learn more about our approach to family dentistry, then please schedule a consultation by calling Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry of Kansas City, MO, today at 816-427-4018.