Preventive:
At Smile-R-Us Dental , our experienced dentists are committed to helping patients maintain optimal oral health. We provide a range of general dentistry options that can work to prevent cavities, tooth decay, and other problems from getting worse and potentially requiring more extensive dental work later in life. From routine oral check-ups and teeth cleanings to gum disease treatment and tooth-colored fillings, our skilled dental team can help you meet your needs.
The following sections will give you more information on the many general and preventive dentistry procedures available here at our practice. If you have questions, please contact us today.
Oral exams and teeth cleanings:
Regular oral exams and professional teeth cleanings are extremely important to maintaining the health of your teeth and gums. An oral evaluation allows our dental team to examine your oral structures and identify any potential problems as quickly as possible, while a teeth cleaning serves to remove plaque and mild stains that cannot typically be addressed with home oral hygiene routines. Oral exams and cleanings are vital to aid in the prevention of tooth decay, gum disease, and other concerns that can turn into major dental issues. Our dentists generally recommend at least two oral exams and professional teeth cleanings each year.
Tooth-colored fillings:
When it comes to filling cavities, tooth-colored fillings offer both functional and aesthetic benefits. Also known as composite fillings, these treatments do not contain mercury and do not result in a “metallic” appearance. In fact, tooth-colored fillings are designed to be exceptionally durable treatments for cavities while creating a natural blend with the affected tooth that is virtually unnoticeable.
Sealants:
Dental sealants are preventive measures to stave off the formation of cavities and tooth decay on the back teeth. A durable plastic material will be strategically placed over surface areas and crevices of the teeth that are susceptible to bacteria, ultimately working to prevent cavities from developing later. Sealants can be great options for children; however, many adults can benefit from them as well.
Oral cancer screenings:
Screenings for oral cancer are part of a routine oral examination here at Smile-R-Us of San Jose. Oral cancer poses a life-threatening health risk, and early detection is crucial to reducing that risk. Our dentist will examine your oral tissues and structures for any irregularities to ensure there are no potential signs of the condition. Remember, oral cancer may not have overt symptoms in its beginning stages, so it is important to have regular check-ups and screenings. It’s also important to seek an evaluation immediately if you notice any abnormalities in your mouth. The chances of survival are greatly increased if cancerous tissue is identified early. Our dentists recommend at least one oral cancer screening each year for patients who do not use tobacco products and at least two per year for individuals who do use tobacco products.
Gum disease prevention:
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is a potentially dangerous disease that threatens many Americans; some statistics indicate that more than 70 percent of persons over the age of 40 have the disease. The best solution for gum disease is to prevent it altogether. Toward this end, our dentists provide regular dental cleanings and exams. We also advise patients on proper dental hygiene. To prevent gingivitis, patients should follow a balanced diet and brush and floss daily. For patients who are diagnosed with gum disease, we offer a number of advanced periodontal care treatments.
Mouth Rinses:
Many people consider fresh breath to be an indicator of one’s health and vivacity. Mouth rinses can be an effective tool for maintaining a clean and fresh-feeling mouth, particularly when a person is unable to brush and floss as regularly as he or she should. Our doctors provide FDA-monitored cosmetic and therapeutic mouth rinses.
- Cosmetic Mouth Rinses
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Cosmetic mouth rinses are an excellent way to freshen breath and provide a pleasant taste in the mouth. They also help clean the surface of the teeth and break down oral bacteria.
- Therapeutic Mouth Rinses
- Therapeutic mouth rinses offer extra benefits in addition to those provided by cosmetic rinses, since they help prevent some oral diseases. There are two categories of therapeutic rinses: antiplaque and fluoride rinses. Antiplaque rinses, which break down plaque on the teeth, have been shown to be highly effective. Meanwhile, fluoride rinses work by killing bacteria that cause cavities. If you suffer from persistent dry mouth, tooth decay, or gum disease, contact Smile-R-Us of San Jose. to schedule a consultation and find out whether a mouth rinse is the solution for your problem.
Health concerns:
Patients should be aware that mouth rinses should not be used to hide evidence of a more severe dental problem or in place of proper oral hygiene. For example, if bad breath persists despite proper oral hygiene, the dentists at our Morristown, NJ office want to make sure that the underlying problem is properly diagnosed. Patients should also be aware that mouth rinses contain about 15 to 25 percent alcohol and should not be ingested. They may not be useful for children, who generally have less tooth decay. Finally, it’s important to note that overuse of mouth rinses can stain the teeth.
Brushing Tips
One of the most effective, easy-to-remember brushing tips involves using a circular or elliptical motion to clean a couple of teeth at a time, gradually covering the entire mouth. Place a toothbrush beside your teeth at a 45-degree angle and gently brush teeth in an elliptical motion. Brush the outside of the teeth, inside the teeth, your tongue, and the chewing surfaces and in between teeth. Using a back and forth motion causes the gum surface to recede or can expose the root surface or make the root surface tender.
In general, a toothbrush should have soft, nylon bristles with round ends. Some brushes are too abrasive and can wear down teeth, so medium and hard bristles are not recommended. A soft, rounded, multi-tufted brush cleans teeth effectively with minimal risk of damage. Electric toothbrushes are also effective. The bristles of the electric brush should be placed against the teeth and gums and moved systematically over the teeth allowing the brush to do its job.
It might be a good idea to brush with the radio since we generally recommend brushing 3-4 minutes—the length of an average song. Patients generally think they’re brushing longer, but most spend less than a minute brushing.
It’s definitely a good idea to keep a toothbrush in your desk since getting the debris off teeth right away stops sugary snacks from turning to damaging acids. If you brush with fluoride toothpaste in the morning and before going to bed, you don’t even need to use toothpaste at work. You can just brush and rinse before heading back to the desk. If you don’t have a toothbrush with you, rinsing your mouth with water for 30 seconds after lunch also helps.
The following tips may improve your brushing habits:
- Post a sticky note on your desk or computer at work as a reminder to brush teeth after lunch.
- Brush teeth right after lunch, before you become absorbed in work.
- Store a toothbrush and toothpaste at work in a convenient and handy place.
- Make brushing your teeth part of your freshening up routine at work.
Flossing Tips
- Wind: Wind 18″ of floss around middle fingers of each hand.
- Guide: Pinch floss between thumbs and index fingers, leaving a 1″- 2″ length in between. Use thumbs to direct floss between upper teeth.
- Glide: Gently guide floss between teeth using a zig-zag motion. Be careful not to let the floss snap between teeth.
- Shape: Make a C shape around the tooth with the floss.
- Slide: Slide floss up and down against the tooth surface and beneath the gum line. Make sure you floss the back of each tooth too. Floss each tooth thoroughly with a clean section of floss.
If you have questions about flossing or find flossing difficult, contact our Smiles-R-Us, Sanjose CA dental office and we can help!
2 minutes—2 times a day
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends the 2/2 rule: brush for 2 minutes in the morning and 2 minutes at night with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. You could brush more often if you like, but the minimum for healthy teeth and gums is the 2/2 rule.
How do you know when you’ve reached 2 minutes? Try one of these methods:
- Use the timer on your cell phone
- Hum or play one of your favorite songs (which usually last 2 minutes or longer)
- Go old school and use a clock