Although having a beautiful smile is important, the primary goal of Buffalo-area dentist Dr. Larry Evola at Forestream Dental is to improve the overall health of your oral hygiene. Crowded or crooked teeth, bad bites and insufficient oral hygiene can lead to:
- Tooth decay
- Jaw joint problems
- Gum disease
- Tooth loss
- Bad breath
Dr. Larry Evola and his staff at Forestream Dental believe in educating patients on the importance of oral hygiene. We aim to prevent extensive dental work with early diagnosis and treatment. The happier and healthier our patients are, the more successful our practice becomes.
Proper oral hygiene and maintenance are vital to a healthy smile.
Our highly trained hygienists are among the elite in the profession. Their expert care and concern are reflected in the positive results our patients receive. During your first visit, we will explain our hygiene procedures and treatment programs and educate you on proper oral hygiene techniques that can help you have healthy teeth and gums. We can also help educate small children so they have a good start to a lifetime of healthy teeth.
What are the benefits of good Dental Hygiene
Benefits of good dental hygiene include healthy teeth and gums, a significantly reduced risk of developing oral health issues, fresh breath, and clean-looking, stain-free teeth. What’s more, studies have linked progressive gum disease to an increased risk for heart attack and stroke, hypertension, certain types of cancer, and other systemic illness and disease. Maintaining proper dental hygiene helps to prevent gum disease and may reduce your risk of developing these potentially fatal conditions.
Good Dental Hygiene Habits
Here are four main habits we believe are essential to maintaining good oral hygiene:
- Brush your teeth thoroughly with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush twice a day, or more often if your dentist advises.
- Clean between your teeth using floss or an interdental cleaner once a day.
- Eat a well-balanced diet, limiting between-meal snacks.
- Visit your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings. We recommend at least every six months, sometimes more often if you have special appliances.
Improve Your Oral Health
Here are some other suggestions to improve your oral health:
- Replace toothbrushes when they start to show wear
- Replace toothbrushes after an illness
- Brush or scrap your tongue (with a specially designed tool) to rid it of harmful bacteria and improve your breath
- Don't over brush as this can cause damage to your gums
- If you tend to over brush, use a sonic toothbrush that requires little to no pressure
Forestream Dental proudly serves Buffalo, Amherst, Lancaster, and Williamsville, New York. We are a full service dental practice including:
How Do I Maintain Good Dental Hygiene if I Have Dentures?
Removable dentures should be taken out and cleaned in a denture wash every night. Fixed dentures should be cared for in the same manner as your natural teeth: brush after every meal and snack, and floss at least once a day. Patients with both fixed and removable dentures should visit the dentist every six months for an examination.
How Do I Clean My Porcelain Crowns or Veneers?
Porcelain restorations such as veneers and crowns are cared for in the same manner as your natural teeth. To avoid scratching your restorations, it is best to choose toothpaste without abrasive ingredients such as baking soda or charcoal, and to use a soft-bristled toothbrush for brushing. You may also need to avoid certain types of mouthwash to help prevent the breakdown of dental bonding that holds your restorations in place. As with your natural teeth, you should avoid chewing non-food items such as pens, refrain from biting ice and hard candy, and reduce your intake of sugary and starchy foods to help protect your restorations. And remember, porcelain dental restorations cannot be whitened. Reducing your intake of dark foods and beverages will help them maintain their brilliance for longer periods of time.
Can Good Dental Hygiene Be Painful?
No. There is nothing painful about brushing and flossing your teeth. People new to flossing may experience slight discomfort when learning how to perform the task, but this can be avoided by following the instructions provided by our office. If you experience pain while brushing or flossing your teeth, it is important that you contact our office right away for an examination. Pain is often a clear indication of infection, decay, or disease.
Are There Alternatives to Flossing?
There is no suitable alternative to flossing. There are, however, several methods of performing the task. Traditional flossing is incredibly effective at removing debris and plaque from in between teeth. This can be accomplished with string floss wrapped around the fingers or with a flosser. In both cases, it is important to use a clean selection of floss in between each tooth. Some people find the use of a water flosser preferable to traditional floss. These devices have shown to be more effective than string floss in removing plaque and reducing gingival bleeding, but they can be cost-prohibitive. Flossing at least once a day is an essential part of maintaining peak oral health. The simple act of doing it is much more important than the device you use.
What happens if you don't keep good Dental Hygiene?
Proper dental hygiene is the cornerstone of a healthy mouth. Failure to maintain good dental hygiene puts you at risk for tooth decay, root canal infection, and gum disease. These things can lead to severe pain, chronic bad breath, tooth loss, and other serious concerns. Committing to a solid dental hygiene routine, complete with daily brushing, flossing, and biannual visits to the dentist is the best way to prevent worrisome oral health problems.
Schedule a client consultation
Call us at 716-271-5565 or email us today to schedule a cleaning appointment or if you require more in-depth services, you can schedule a complimentary cosmetic dentistry consultation first to allow us to assess your needs. We look forward to seeing you soon!
