Oral Hygiene / Teeth Cleaning Specialist
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San Ramon Orthodontics
Orthodontists located in San Ramon, CA
Any dental issue starts with poor oral hygiene. Keeping your teeth in good health is the straight and narrow road to avoiding any complications and potentially dangerous symptoms. At San Ramon Orthodontics in San Ramon, California. Dr. Hannah Karkhanechi works closely with patients of all ages to help them develop excellent and healthy oral care habits. To learn more about how you can improve your oral health, book an appointment with Dr. Karkhanechi today by phone or online.
Oral Hygiene / Teeth Cleaning Q & A
Why is brushing your teeth important?
Brushing your teeth is one of the fundamental tenets of the best oral hygiene practices. Each time you use your toothbrush to clean your teeth, you’re both effectively eliminating the plaque that builds up over time and freshening your breath.
Dr. Karkhanechi recommends that you do this at the very minimum twice a day and that you do so by using a fluoridated toothpaste to reinforce your enamel and fight back against the decay-inducing acids in the mouth.
Depending on the state of your teeth, Dr. Karkhanechi can recommend a toothbrush that works best for you. You should plan on replacing your toothbrush every 3-4 months.
The best toothbrushing method includes five simples steps:
- Make sure your toothbrush is at a 45-degree angle on your gums
- Brush your teeth in gentle back-and-forth tooth-wide movements
- Brush outer, inner, and chewing surfaces
- Brush up and down on your front teeth
- Brush your tongue to remove excess bacteria
Dr. Karkhanechi can give more specific brushing advice if you need it.
What are the benefits of flossing?
Just like brushing your teeth is vital, flossing is the second most important aspect of oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth gets rid of plaque on the surfaces of your teeth, while flossing gets rid of plaque and foods stuck in between each tooth.
If you don’t floss your teeth regularly, this food and bacteria turns into tartar, and can ultimately lead to gum disease and tooth decay if left unaddressed. Speak to Dr. Karkhanechi about how to properly floss your teeth.
What is plaque?
Plaque refers to a layer of bacterial material that accumulates on your teeth over time. Most often, plaque build-ups form in areas that tooth brushing or flossing can’t reach.
In most cases, plaque comes from the sugars and starch in the food you eat and often creates substances that can irritate your gums even more.
While brushing and flossing at least twice daily can significantly remove plaque, you should book a cleaning with Dr. Karkhanechi to make sure the harder to reach areas are cleaned.
How often should you see a dentist?
The team at San Ramon Orthodontics recommends that you book an appointment at least twice a year. During this appointment, Dr. Karkhanechi cleans your teeth and examines your mouth. Naturally, you need to come in more often depending on your unique situation.
To learn more about oral hygiene, go online or call the office and book an appointment.
