By Dr. Stephen Koveck, D.D.S.
Dental and oral health is a critical part of your overall health and well-being. Maintaining proper oral hygiene habits including brushing and flossing are key contributors to properly maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Dental caries or “cavities” are the most prevalent chronic disease of the mouth. More than 100 million Americans fail to see a dentist each year, even though regular dental examinations and good oral hygiene can prevent many dental diseases including cavities and oral cancer. Neglecting your dental health can have negative impacts on your smile, self-esteem, and overall health.
Establishing good habits for oral hygiene include brushing, flossing and rinsing. To achieve the best results, an electric toothbrush is recommended, however, a manual soft bristle toothbrush is acceptable. Toothbrushing should last two minutes in the morning and in the evening. A soft bristle toothbrush is more gentle on your teeth and gums than hard bristle toothbrushes. Small, circular motions are recommended with the toothbrush angled 45-degrees towards your gums. Be sure to brush all surfaces of each tooth as well as your tongue. Supplemental to brushing is flossing. Flossing allows for the removal of bacteria and plaque from areas between teeth that are not easily accessible by brushing alone. It is recommended to start with a forearm length of floss wrapping it around your fingers. The floss is guided between each pair of teeth hugging each tooth individually moving in a ‘C’ shape. There are still small areas where tooth brushing and flossing cannot reach. A fluoridated mouthwash will help strengthen enamel to fight cavities and kill bad breath.
With locations in Crown Point, Portage, Chesterton and Dyer, Advanced Dental Concepts strives to provide excellent, comprehensive oral care that is comforting and relaxing. Our compassionate team has decades of experience serving patients of all ages tailoring each individual need with the latest state of the art techniques and technologies. Whether we are calming the fearful patient, healing those in pain, or creating a confident, beautiful smile, we change the lives of our patients! Nothing rewards our dental practices more than to see the transformation of one’s inner beauty and personality after they have the confidence to smile! Advanced Dental Concepts is always accepting new patients. We are eager to see how we can help you achieve your oral and overall health goals.
