Oral Hygiene is crucial to a healthy smile!  Adults over the age of 35 lose more teeth due to gum disease than they do from cavities.   At DHC, we are committed to helping you prevent cavities and periodontal disease through ongoing checkups, cleaning and of course your daily routine.

What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease and tooth decay are both cause by bacterial plaque.   What is Plaque? Plaque is a film that sticks to your teeth right at the gum line.  Plaque is colorless and will continue to form on your teeth, so it is important to remove these germs with daily brushing and flossing!

HOW TO BRUSH

DHC recommends that you use a mirror while brushing your teeth, this will allow you to ensure you clean each surface.   When finished, rinse to remove any loose plaque.   If you have pain while brushing, please contact DHC at 715-832-3100.

HOW TO FLOSS

Flossing is important to address the places your toothbrush cannot reach.   Gum disease usually appears in between your teeth and flossing is a great way to remove the plaque.   Take your time, practice and do it right, your teeth will thank you!

When finished flowing, rinse again to remove any additional plaque that has come loose.   Bleeding from your gums can happen, but as you do it more your gums will heal, this will subside.

SENSITIVE TEETH

After your visit to DHC, you may experience sensitivity, especially to hot and cold.   This not abnormal and should go away soon.   It is important that you mouth is kept clean otherwise the pain and sensitivity can linger.    If the pain does not go away in a reasonable amount of time, please call DHC and consult with our staff.

WHAT SHOULD I USE?

Toothbrush: Choosing products to ensure you have great oral hygiene can be tricky, we are always happy to help if you have questions.  Many people choose electronic toothbrushes – these are safe for most people and highly recommended.  Ask DHC for their list of favorites.   Many people still use a manual toothbrush which is effective is done properly and regularly.

Oral Irrigators:  Devices that rinse your mouth with water are highly effective but will not remove plaque.   DHC recommends only using these devices along with your daily brushing and flossing routine.

Rinse & Other Tools: There are many fantastic mouthwash, fluoride toothpastes options and tools out there.  Having a complete oral hygiene plan can reduce tooth decay by up to 40 percent. There are plenty of other tools to help with oral hygiene such as the rubber tips on the ends of toothbrushes used to massage the gums. Interproximal brushes are tiny brushes for cleaning in between your teeth.    We recommend you discuss with your Dentist if these are right for your as they can injure your gums if not used correctly.

PROFESSIONAL CLEANING

Brushing and flossing daily will help minimize tartar buildup, but a professional cleaning is necessary to reach places that your toothbrush and floss cannot reach.  Please visit our DENTAL CLEANING PAGE to learn what to expect at your DHC cleaning.

NUTRITION

Smart nutrition and eating habits play a huge factor in your dental health.   While your daily cleaning routine will keep your gums and teeth healthy, a balanced diet will ensure that your body can fight off diseases that could affect your teeth and gums. Starchy foods like bread, crackers and sweets can help feed the bacteria in your mouth.   The acid they produce attacks your teeth.   Foods that are sticky have acid that dissolves slowly, so this can also affect tooth enamel.   There are some foods that can slow the tooth decay causing bacteria like cheese, onions and even some teas.