A good dental hygiene routine is important to maintaining good oral health and preventing tooth decay and gum disease. The family dentists at Silverman & Associates in Bayside and Bellmore, NY see many patients who want to improve their dental hygiene but aren’t sure where to start. The good news is that taking care of your teeth properly is simple. The information is detailed here:

Brushing

Almost everyone knows brushing is important. But do you know why? The act of brushing helps to break up the colonies of bacteria-filled plaque that collect on the surface of the teeth and gums. These bacteria are the agents that eventually cause decay and gum disease if not properly and vigilantly cleared away. If plaque is not removed it can harden into calculus, at which point it becomes much more difficult to remove conventionally. To keep plaque and calculus at bay, your Bayside and Bellmore family dentist recommends brushing twice daily for two minutes each time with a good quality toothpaste. Your dentist can make suggestions on the best kind for you. Toothpaste that contains cavity-fighting fluoride is a good idea, for example.

Flossing

Flossing seems to be one thing that people always mean to do but never follow through on a routine. Like brushing, the act of flossing helps to disrupt the colonization of bacteria, only it does so in the hard-to-reach places in between the teeth. Without flossing, cavities can go undetected for a long time, particularly if you’re not visiting your dentist regularly. To get in the habit, you can try using floss picks, which can be easier to maneuver. Place them in a spot where you’re most likely to use them. Flossing before or after brushing is totally up to you; it should be done once a day but the time is not important.

Visiting Silverman & Associates, your Bayside and Bellmore, NY family dental team, twice yearly for a cleaning and checkup is also part of a good oral health regimen. To schedule an appointment with one of our skilled dentists, contact our office today!