Knowing More About The Proper Ways To Brush Your Teeth

Brushing our teeth every day is a must. This will help us have fresher breath as well as healthy oral hygiene. However brushing alone is not enough. You need to know the proper ways to brush your teeth in order for you to effectively clean your mouth. 

  

Appropriate brushing usually takes at least two minutes or 120 seconds. Most adults and even children do not even come close to brushing that long. Most of them try to brush their teeth quickly that they often leave bits of food behind. It is very important that you know the proper ways to brush your teeth as this will prevent conditions such as gingivitis or tooth decay.

Incorrect brushing may also lead to tooth abrasion. In fact, the number one cause of tooth abrasion is with the use of a tooth brush. To properly brush your teeth, you must use short and gentle strokes as well as paying proper attention to the gum line.

There are several proper ways to brush your teeth. Among the techniques recommended by dentists that you must follow include:

•  Applying a strip of toothpaste after you have pre moistened your toothbrush.
•  Start brushing with your upper left molars, the back teeth. Concentrate on the front surface of you tooth working in a clockwise direction. This will help clean 2 to 3 teeth at a time.
•  Hold your toothbrush parallel to your teeth and set the bristles in the direction of the tissue.    Apply a small amount of pressure to help clean effectively.
•  Move your brush gently in a circular motion repetitively for 10 seconds. 
•  Next, roll the toothbrush bristles away from the gum line in a sweeping motion.
•   Continue these steps until all the front surfaces of your teeth have all been cleaned.
•   When cleaning the inside surface of your teeth, or lingual surface, with the tip of your tooth  brush do a flicking motion to clean each tooth down to the gum line. Do this repeatedly for 2 to 3 times.
•   Brush the biting surface of your teeth to remove any food pieces caught in between your teeth.
•   Gently brush your tongue as well as the insides of you cheeks.
•    Finish by rinsing your mouth with water as well as apply mouthwash for added cleaning.

Some tips are also available if you want to expand your oral health cleaning habit. Always remember to brush your teeth three times a day. First in the morning, second at midday, and third before you go to sleep. This will help clean your teeth as well as your mouth after all that you have ate or drank during these times. Also try not to eat or drink once you have brushed in the evening before you go to sleep.

If you are brushing someone else’s teeth especially your kids or old folks, try to stand to stand behind them so you can have a perfect view of their teeth and you can look down effectively. This will help you clean their teeth thoroughly.

Always remember to replace your toothbrush every three months. Worn out bristles might do more harm to your teeth rather that help clean them. Also replace your toothbrush after you have recovered from an illness even from a cold or flu.

- Dr. Joe Kim
Evergreen Family Dental
Mill Creek, WA

Smile Makeover in Mill Creek, WA: Making of a ‘Winsome’ Smile!

Smile is the expression of heart; it speaks without words! Smile narrated the tales that are unsaid by words and unheard with ears. For human beings, smile connects souls and altogether originates a unique form of communication. It is certain that smile is the best thing we can do with our lips and probably the most innocent form of communication also. So what are you doing to ensure the wonders of ‘smile’? Want to make smile your finest asset? Then smile makeover in Mill Creek, WA is all you need!

Smile makeover in Mill Creek, WA is a part of cosmetic dental solutions that uses the modern technology for enhancement and rectification purposes. It starts with the basic assessment of your smile and oral hygiene. There are certain facial elements that determine the entire process of smile makeover such as your gums, lips, skin tone and teeth structure. The basic motive behind smile makeover is to enhance these features in order to boost healthy confidence. Smile makeover is just not limited to dental purposes and oral hygiene but is also related to personal beautification. A beautiful smile is winsome and confidence booster. It is just a process of elimination of faults that doesn’t complement your best asset. For a person who faces the problem of discolored teeth, smile comes in hesitation and subdued emotions. Same is the case with the one facing issues related to irregular teeth, uneven structure, gap in teeth and broken/missing teeth. With the advent of technology and use of skilled/specialized treatments, issues like teeth whitening, implants and brackets/braces relatively became easy and convenient to treat. Earlier, braces were a scary thought of horrible metallic wires but with invisible braces the idea just got modified! The benefits are best services are always available. With proper research and understand regarding smile makeover process, look for services and analyze their credibility. Also, get an idea about dental insurance so that the entire experience meets an ease in expense and fits your pocket.

 We captivate some of the most cherished emotions in our smile and they are quite easily reflected through it. Just help your smile for a better interpretation! An interpretation is the domain of receiver in communication but as far as our personal efforts are concerned, we can always make the process easier and healthy. Ensure the beauty of your smile; make it winsome!

- Dr. Joe Kim DDS

Evergreen Family Dental

Mill Creek, Washington

The Hidden Benefits of Flossing

Several people often forget to floss their teeth after brushing. They do not find flossing important and they certainly lose out on the benefits of flossing. The truth is that healthy teeth can be achieved by proper oral care plus the benefits of flossing and brushing. According to many dentists, flossing is far more important than brushing as it helps in preventing periodontal disease and tooth loss. So if you want to profit from flossing, stop the excuses and do not forget to floss after you brush your teeth each day.

Dentists have found out that many people tend to forget or have all sort of excuses for them not to floss their teeth. Like many people, do you also fail to floss your teeth or always have an excuse not to? If so, dentists have provided some easy tips for you to benefit from flossing. Below are some tips you can follow and learn more about the benefits of flossing.

Tip #1: If food doesn’t get caught between your teeth, you will still need to floss.

Flossing is not just about removing debris stuck between your teeth but also removing dental plaque which forms on the tooth surfaces. Using an interdental cleaner and flossing is the only way to remove plaque in between teeth.

Tip #2: Learn how to floss.

Flossing isn’t easy but practice makes perfect. Some say it is the most difficult kind of personal grooming there is.

Tip #3: Find time to floss.

Actual flossing does not take much time. Once a day between 3 to 5 minutes can do wonders for your oral health. The key factor here is for you to make flossing a part of your daily habit. Just like taking a bath and exercising, flossing can improve your personal hygiene.

Tip #4: Do not be afraid to floss.

If flossing causes you gum pain or bleeding, odds are that you have gingivitis or gum disease. This is why flossing will be a plus for you. With daily brushing and rinsing, flossing can help alleviate gum pain and bleeding. If it persists, then you will need to see your local dentist.

Tip #5: Do not worry about your teeth being spaced apart. 

If unwaxed floss does not work for your teeth, then you might want try waxed floss or floss made of super-slippery polytetrafluoroethylene. Many people have spaces between their teeth but that must not be a hindrance for them to floss. There are special types of floss like “superfloss” which is a yarn like floss suitable for teeth with spaces in between. ” It stretches between thin or narrow spaces yet fluffs out to clean in between teeth that spaced apart.

Tip #6: Floss gently yet effectively.

In some cases, if you have undergone dental work, floss threaders are used to easily position floss around dental work. Meanwhile, other people might use fraying floss for those with poorly made fillings or crown. If the problem persists, then you might need to consult with your dentist.

- Dr. Joe Kim
Evergreen Family Dental
Mill Creek, WA

Bridging The Gap Created By Missing Teeth With Dental Bridges

Do you have missing teeth? Do you need a bridge or are there gaps created by one or two missing teeth in your mouth? If so, then you might want to have dental bridges and restore the missing teeth in your mouth. But first, you might want to follow-up it with your dentist. This will ensure that you will have the proper advice and treatment for your missing teeth and teeth gaps.

If you have gaps created by one or two missing teeth, then a dental bridge will literally bridge the gaps created. A bridge comprises of two crowns, one on each tooth on either side of the tooth gap. The two anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth wherein a false tooth is placed between them. The false tooth is called a pontics wherein it can be made from alloy, gold, porcelain, or any combination of these materials. Dental bridges can be supported by either dental implants or natural teeth.

Getting a dental bridge might be scary and often times people think of its cost and advantages before they go through with this. Here are some advantages of dental bridges that will help you decide on getting into this kind of treatment:

•        Dental bridges can restore your smile
•        Dental bridges can restore your ability to chew and speak properly
•        Dental bridges can maintain the shape of your face
•        Dental bridges can distribute the forces in your bite
•        Dental bridges prevents teeth from drifting out of position

There are three different types of dental bridges available for patients to choose from. Among these types of bridges include:

• Traditional bridges – This will involve a creation of a crown for the tooth or an implant that will be placed on either side of the missing tooth. Then a pontic is placed between them. Traditional bridges are the most common type of bridge and are highly used by a lot of dentists. Traditional bridges can be made from porcelain, metal, or ceramics.

• Cantilever bridges – This type of dental bridge is used if there are adjacent teeth on only oneside of the missing teeth. Cantilever bridges are typically used to replace only one missing tooth.

• Maryland bonded bridges - Also called a resin-bonded bridge or a Maryland bridge, this type of dental bridge is made from plastic teeth wherein the gums is supported by a metal framework. Metal wings are also placed on each side of the bridge that is bonded to your existing teeth.

Dental Bridges Recovery and Care

After you have gone under a dental bridge procedure and it has been cemented into place, your dentist will provide you with a list of hygiene information to maintain. This will improve the dental bridges performance and permanency of your restoration. It will also take good care of your teeth and gums as they recover. Using a special bridge floss threader, you can properly and carefully floss the areas surrounding the bridge and between the pontic. Daily use as well as daily brushing will prevent the accumulation of bacteria that can undermine the dental bridge procedure you just had.  

Now you have just learned some important facts about bridges or dental bridges. You now know how you can dress the problem of missing teeth, if you have or a family or close friend. Think it over and get a dental bridge if it calls for one.

- Dr. Joe Kim

Dentist Mill Creek

Teeth Whiting: Learn More About How It Works

Why is tooth whiting important? Does it pose any problems in the long run? Tooth whiting is a very effective way to get your teeth back to their natural color, which is a lighter white blend. It also can help reduce tooth damages on the surface without removing them.

Why should I need my teeth whitened? This is a no brainer at all. As we get older, our teeth tend to get darker which is caused by the food we intake. Another factor also would be the drinks we take as well as the any other eating habits that can take effect on our teeth. Antibiotics also have the tendency to make our teeth dark as well. While only a few people have the perfect brilliant white teeth, we must make an effort to make them white as well. This may be a hard task as some people naturally have grey shade of teeth or whitish spots in them. This might be a sign of tooth decay or problems while their teeth were forming. Calculus or more commonly known as tartar can also take effect on the color of your teeth making then stained on the surface.

How does tooth whiting work? After a quick assessment from your dentist, he or she will give you advice on how to treat your teeth whiting problem effectively. The most usual or more suitable option that many dentists now use is the professional bleaching method. The most common type of teeth whiting method is “dentist-supervised home whitening” where you will have a routine to follow in the comfort of your own homes. Specially made trays will be fitted in your gums and a whitening gel is added as a whitener.  The “chair-side whitening” is also a good option. Your dentist will first asses if you are eligible for this kind of procedure. After, your teeth will be given a whitening product fitted inside a specially made tray that is placed in a rubber shield or gel protecting your gums.

The active ingredients used in teeth whiting usually contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. This will make your teeth lighter or whiter as the active ingredients break down and as oxygen goes into the enamel and dentine.

What is the cost of a teeth whitening procedure? Charges may vary depending on the practice and the attending dentist. If you have a family dentist then you might want to ask for a written estimate first. Chair side whitening however is more expensive than the professionally supervised home bleaching procedure.

Are there any side effects in teeth whitening? While some people may find it hard to adjust after the teeth whiting treatment, it is just a temporary discomfort that will disappear in time. Discomfort in the gums, sore throat, sensitivity to cold, and white patches to the gum line are just some of the usual side effects after the treatment. If these side effects persist then you should go to your dentist and ask for some quick solutions for the problem.

Dr. Joe Kim

Evergreen Family Dental
Mill Creek, WA