Teeth Brushing Tips From Your Portsmouth Dentist

As a local Portsmouth dentist, we practice preventative care so that our patients can stay in excellent oral health and avoid common problems like cavities and gum disease. We begin by having the individual practice good oral hygiene at home and following it up with regular trips to our dentist office. During the appointment, we will remove any bacteria and plaque that you are unable to reach during regular brushing and flossing. There are, however, ways that you can increase the effectiveness of your daily health care routine.

Here are teeth brushing tips to try:

Start with the brush

In order to get a good clean, one needs to start with a good toothbrush. We recommend that patients use a soft toothbrush because a hard one can irritate your gums and start to strip the enamel way from the teeth. This can lead to sensitivity and can even make one's gums bleed.

Three months max

Do not use a toothbrush for more than three months. The toothbrush starts to become ineffective when one uses it for too long, causing the bristles break and fray. Upon noticing that the toothbrush looks like it is in good condition or has stains, make sure to replace it. Otherwise, use the three-month rule for buying a new one or replacing the head on an electronic toothbrush. As a Portsmouth dentist office, we also give out toothbrushes at teeth cleaning appointments.

Keep it dry

The toothbrush needs to stay dry and clean. If an individual goes to brush his or her teeth and it is wet, more bacteria may be lingering on the brush itself. Use a toothbrush holder so that the toothbrush can air out during the day.

Movement matters

An individual's tooth brushing technique can make a large difference in how clean the teeth get. Move the brush around in circles and go from top to bottom on the upper teeth, while also going from bottom to top on the lower teeth. This way, food and bacteria are brushed away from the gums and roots.

Brush it all

Many people make the mistake of only brushing the teeth when they need to actually brush their gumline as well. People also need to brush their tongue and the roof of their mouth, since these areas can harbor bacteria as well.

Toothpaste

Use toothpaste that has the American Dental Association seal. We also recommend using one with fluoride because it can help to strengthen teeth by placing minerals directly onto them.

Frequency.

Brush your teeth at least twice a day, more if possible. In the best case scenario, our patients would brush their teeth after every meal, floss daily, and use an antiseptic mouthwash. These habits will help to prevent both cavities and gum disease from forming.
We can help you to stay in good oral health by removing the bacteria and plaque that you were unable to get with at home care. Call (757) 397-5611 today to schedule your exam.

What to Expect When You Get a Filling and Your Dental Checkup

We often place fillings after a dental check-up multiple times in one day. While people understand the reason for having a dental filling, it is also one of the least liked procedures that we perform. A dental filling is the most common form of treatment for cavities, which form from the acid secretions of bacteria gradually eating away at the enamel of one's teeth. Eventually, the bacteria leads to forming a hole or a cavity. Bacteria, which naturally occur in the mouth, tend to colonize the teeth where they are visible as a thin film that is also known as plaque. After exposure to sugar and starch-rich foods, bacteria secrete an acid which forms the cavities in teeth.
Few people are aware that the teeth actually make an effort to fight decay and cavities. Using the minerals that occur in saliva, calcium, and phosphate, along with water, and fluoride, the teeth attempt to slowly rebuild the damaged or destroyed enamel. Unfortunately, in most cases this is not enough to prevent the decay and need for a dental filling.
While dental fillings are often part of a dental check-up, here at the clinic, there is nothing stale about the technology. We are constantly working to improve the dental fillings we offer, and in tandem with dental scientists around the world are able to make strides in that direction. Few patients remember, but not that long ago patients did not have as many options when it came to dental fillings. While gold and silver fillings were more common in the past, they were obvious and did not appear normal. Knowing that naturally colored fillings make our patients far more comfortable, we offer composite dental fillings in our Portsmouth office. These can also be whatever shade you want.
Aesthetics aside, dental scientists are working diligently to make sure that we have the best tools at our disposal. One of the major challenges with dental fillings is the need to remove contaminated enamel, along with the regular decay that has set into the tooth. This involves shaving away some enamel with the drill. Scientists who are working with the University of Maryland Dental School, are trying to solve this with a unique approach. Using silver nanoparticles and ammonia, the scientists hope to kill the bacteria at the site. The silver and ammonia, both of which are a natural antibacterial, are included in the filling, and the adhesive used to place the filling.
The idea is that if the filling can kill all the bacteria, the body can start to respond normally and the tooth can start to repair all the damage done to the tooth by the bacteria in the first place. Allowing a tooth to heal naturally is the next iteration in dental fillings. We can discuss all of your options during your next dental checkup in our Portsmouth dental office.