Step-by-step instructions Make it a daily routine to brush between your teeth with an interdental brush. It will keep your mouth healthy and prevent gum inflammation and cavities. Interdental brushes can also be used for cleaning of implants and orthodontic appliances. Make interdental brushes part of your daily routine Did you know that a toothbrush can only reach 60% of the tooth surfaces? Dental plaque builds up between your teeth where a toothbrush does not reach. It is a good idea to use an interdental brush as part of your daily cleaning routine to prevent gum inflammation, cavities and bad breath. An interdental brush is a small brush specially designed to clean between your teeth, where a regular toothbrush does not …
Brushing and flossing daily are just the start to learning about oral hygiene care, facts, and methods. Here you can learn so much more.
10 Toothbrush Facts You Didn’t Know
We know and love our toothbrushes as the tools that kick plaque to the curb, help keep cavities at bay (with the help of fluoride toothpaste, of course) and freshen our breath. But what else can we learn about them? Read on for some toothbrush facts. When selecting your toothbrush, look for the ADA Seal. The ADA Seal of Acceptance is the gold standard for toothbrush quality. It’s how you’ll know an independent body of scientific experts, the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs, evaluated your toothbrush to make sure bristles won’t fall out with normal use, the handle will stay strong and the toothbrush will help reduce your risk for cavities and gum disease. The toothbrush is 5,000 years old. In various forms, that is. Ancient …
End Bad Breath with a Tongue Scraper
You brush and floss everyday, but is there another way to get your mouth even cleaner? It could be possible with tongue scraping. You’ve probably seen tongue scraping taking over the pages of all your favorite influencers. Is it safe? Is it just a fad? Can it really be helpful? We’re here to dive into your questions and tell you just how this could become your favorite part of your dental routine. Why? Because it can help with a number of things including: preventing bad breath, improving taste, increasing health, and more. What is Tongue Scraping? Tongue scraping is a way to remove debris from the tongue. Over time, bacteria and more can make their home on your tongue. When this adds up, it can cause bad breath and other oral health …
What’s the Difference Between Scaling & Root Planing?
Your dentist may recommend that you get your teeth scaled. This procedure is generally conducted along with root planning. In more common terms, these procedures are known as a “deep cleaning.” Teeth scaling and root planning helps to treat chronic periodontal disease (otherwise known as gum disease). They are more in-depth than a typical teeth cleaning. Teeth scaling and root planning often take more than one dental visit and could require a local anesthetic based on the severity of your chronic periodontal disease and if you have receding gums. Recovery from this outpatient procedure usually only takes a few days but may take longer. What is the Difference Between Scaling & Root Planing? Root planning is the process in which …
Brushing with Baking Soda
Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a fine, white powder with almost innumerable household uses. Known mainly as a leavening agent, baking soda can do a lot more than make bread rise. One of its most popular uses is as a teeth cleaner and whitener. But is it as safe and effective as regular toothpaste? Here’s a look at the benefits and limitations of using baking soda on your teeth, and how to use it safely to remove plaque and oral bacteria. Does baking soda work as a toothpaste? Yes, it does work. While baking soda can’t protect your teeth from cavities as effectively as a fluoride toothpaste can, it’s still considered a good cleaning agent for your teeth. Toothpastes containing baking soda have been shown to have …
The difference between Plaque & Tarter
WE OFTEN GET THE QUESTION from our patients, “What’s the difference between plaque and tartar?” Many people think they are the same thing. There is an important difference between the two, however, and it can help explain just why a daily oral hygiene routine is so crucial, as well as twice-yearly visits to your dentist. Your teeth are tough. Covered by enamel, the hardest substance in your body, your teeth can handle a lot of wear and tear. But if you allow plaque to build up and harden, you may be at risk of developing tartar. Tartar can wreak havoc on your dental health and lead to gum disease. That’s why it’s important to know the difference between plaque and tartar, how to prevent both, and what to do if you notice buildup on …
What is Tarter?
Tartar — also known as calculus — is an accumulation of plaque and minerals from your saliva that harden. Tartar can coat the exterior of teeth and invade below the gumline. Tartar feels like a crusty blanket on teeth. Because it’s porous, food and drink can easily stain tartar. Tartar deposits, which often settle behind and in between teeth, appear yellow or brown. Tartar, and its precursor, plaque, can both wreak havoc on your dental health. Tartar and plaque can: cause bad breath, from bacteria buildup destroy enamel, the hard outer layer of teeth, which can in turn, lead to tooth sensitivity, cavities, and even tooth loss promote gum disease Stop tartar by stopping plaque Plaque can harden into tartar in a …
What is Plaque?
Plaque is a sticky film that forms on your teeth every day: You know, that slippery/fuzzy coating you feel when you first wake up. Scientists call plaque a “biofilm” because it’s actually a community of living microbes surrounded by a gluey polymer layer. The sticky coating helps the microbes attach to surfaces in your mouth so they can grow into thriving micro-colonies. The difference between plaque and tartar When plaque isn’t regularly removed, it can accumulate minerals from your saliva and harden into an off-white or yellow substance called tartar. Tartar builds up along your gumline on the fronts and backs of your teeth. Although an attentive flossing may dislodge some tartar buildup, you’ll probably need to visit a …
Mouthwash Types & Facts
While not a replacement for daily brushing and flossing, use of mouthwash (also called mouthrinse) may be a helpful addition to the daily dental hygiene routine for some people. Why Use Mouthwash? Just like dental floss, interdental brushes, and water flossers, mouthwash can get in between teeth. Reaching areas that your toothbrush can’t get to helps to reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease. Mouthwash can help: Prevent or control tooth decay Reduce plaque (a thin film of bacteria that forms on teeth) Prevent or reduce gingivitis (an early stage of gum disease) Reduce the speed that tartar (hardened plaque) forms on the teeth or to produce a combination of these effects Freshen breath Types of Mouthwash There …
The Truth About Oil Pulling
There have been reports in the mainstream media on “oil pulling” and its benefits for dental and general health. The claims state that oil pulling—swishing oil in the mouth—whitens teeth, and improves dental health and overall health. Oil pulling is an ancient, traditional folk remedy that has been practiced for centuries in India and southern Asia. The practice involves placing a tablespoon of an edible oil (e.g., sesame, olive, sunflower, coconut) inside the mouth, and swishing or “pulling” the oil through the teeth and mouth for anywhere from 1-5 minutes to up to 20 minutes or longer. Is oil pulling good for your mouth? Currently, there are no reliable scientific studies to show that oil pulling reduces cavities, whitens teeth …