Gary R. Woodall, DDS, MAGD and his dedicated team know and understand the importance of good preventative dental care. Part of this includes brushing and flossing your teeth properly.
Good preventive dental care is essential for a healthy mouth
BRUSHING & FLOSSING
Brushing your teeth after every meal removes plaque and food particles that get stuck to your teeth. We recommend that you brush your teeth for at least two minutes twice a day, if you can’t brush more often. When brushing, make sure to get every side of every tooth, including the inside and outside, with your toothbrush. Brushing your tongue as well also helps you maintain optimal oral health.
The American Dental Association recommends flossing your teeth at least once a day. We recommend flossing every time you brush, for the best results. Flossing removes plaque and food that gets stuck in between your teeth and gets rid of any plaque that your toothbrush missed (or couldn’t reach). If you don’t floss, you will have problems with tartar and cavities, and you’ll have a much higher chance of developing gum disease.
Flossing is just as necessary as brushing if you want to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible. If you don’t like using dental floss, there are other devices that work just as well, such as dental picks.
If you are new to flossing, please don’t give up if it feels strange or awkward or if you notice a little blood. That is normal when you first make flossing part of your daily oral hygiene routine. After a week or so, you’ll see no more blood, and you’ll get used to using floss every day. Your gums will start to look healthier and feel better, and you’ll know that you’re doing something good for your body!
HYGIENE EXAMINATIONS & PROFESSIONAL CLEANINGS
Another crucial part of your oral hygiene routine is visiting Dr. Gary R. Woodall at least once every six months for a professional cleaning and oral health examination. A professional cleaning removes the stubborn plaque and tartar that remains even with diligent brushing and flossing. Your dental hygienist has special tools that will scrape it all right off, leaving your teeth smooth and super clean.
Once your teeth have been thoroughly cleaned, Dr. Woodall can examine them for any troubling signs, like:
- discoloration or spots that could indicate decay,
- receding gums that point to periodontal disease,
- lesions or lumps that might mean oral cancer.
These appointments are also the perfect opportunity to talk to your dental team about any concerns you have, such as sensitivity or pain, and any improvements you’ve been thinking about, like whitening or teeth alignment.
DIGITAL X-RAYS & IMAGING
As part of your regular hygiene examinations, Dr. Woodall will want to take digital X-rays and other images of your teeth and mouth to reveal details that are not visible to the naked eye. These high-definition images give Dr. Woodall a more complete picture of your oral health and often show problems in the very earliest stages of development, when treating them is typically easier on the patient and less costly. Digital imaging is a safe and effective diagnostic tool that we use to keep a record of your oral health over time.
