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Good oral hygiene is an important part of maintaining your overall health. It helps to prevent tooth decay and gum disease while also protecting you from other conditions. Here are a few tips to help you maintain good oral health. 

Brushing and Flossing

Regular brushing and flossing remove plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that builds up on your teeth and causes tooth decay. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time. Be sure to brush all tooth surfaces, including your back molars.

Brushing alone isn’t sufficient for removing plaque. You should also floss at least once per day. Gently slide the floss between each set of teeth, making sure to get beneath the gum line. The floss should be curving slightly against your tooth as you move it up and down along the length of each tooth, being careful not to snap it down hard on your gums.

Regular Dental Cleanings

The American Dental Association recommends that you get your teeth cleaned every six months at your dentist’s office. These appointments allow your dentist to detect any problems in their earliest stages, ensuring you receive prompt treatment before issues escalate and become too severe to resolve through conservative measures alone.

During these visits, we will examine your mouth for any abnormalities as well as perform deep cleaning treatments to remove plaque buildup from your teeth and along the gum line. These cleanings also enable us to remove stains from the surfaces of your teeth, leaving your smile looking bright and healthy.

We will also use this opportunity to educate you on proper at-home care techniques that will help you maintain optimal results between visits. We will provide you with personalized recommendations for your specific dental needs so that you can feel confident knowing you are practicing the most effective habits. 

Dental Sealants

While it’s easy to keep up with brushing and flossing at home, it’s not always possible to remove all of the plaque on teeth surfaces. That’s why your dentist may recommend dental sealants for protecting your teeth from decay. These clear coatings cover the pits and grooves on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to provide a smooth surface that is difficult for bacteria to stick to. By preventing bacteria and food particles from getting stuck in these hard-to-reach areas, you greatly reduce your chances of developing cavities. Talk with your dentist to find out if you or your child could benefit from dental sealants.

To learn more about our dental procedures, schedule an appointment with Bergeron Dental by calling us at (907) 456-5600 or visiting our dental office located at 3112 Airport Way, Suite 2, Fairbanks, AK 99709.