Oral Hygiene

Gaining tips, instruction and helping patients understand the importance of following through with caring for your teeth daily is the fundamental aspect of dentistry. At Advanced Family Dentistry & Braces, our primary goal and responsibility are to help our patients prevent dental disease, including decay and infection. If the patient still encounters disease, we are equipped to restore, but by taking preventive measures, we can assist you in having a healthier mouth and long-term success.

Oral hygiene can often seem like a drudgery, especially after a long day, but with a better understanding, you may grasp the importance. Unfortunately, we only grow two sets of teeth, and most of our lives are spent with the second set. Many years, plus wear and tear, are expected of our permanent teeth. We use our teeth to chew, which we do multiple times a day, but our teeth also assist in our speech, they support our facial structure, they are prominent in our aesthetic, and the look and appearance of our teeth can play a huge part in our self-confidence. We want to take care of them.

Oral Hygiene | Advanced Family Dentistry | Dentist in Cedar Park TX

The world is full of bacteria, healthy and unhealthy bacteria. Our teeth are constantly encountering bacteria, when we eat, breathe, even kiss. Some of this bacteria is harmless, and some of it can be very harmful. To reduce the harmful bacteria, we hope that our patients consider the following tips and information:

  • Drink Lots of Water: Drinking water not only hydrates you, it also washes your teeth. When drinking water, you are also removing loose food particles and plaque, washing it away. Water is also helpful because it does not contain the sugar that other drinks may have, so you are not increasing the amount of sugar on your teeth, but decreasing it.
  • Be Aware of Saliva Levels: Patients can suffer from dry mouth. Saliva plays an important role in removing bacteria in your mouth. If you suffer from dry mouth, there are things you can do such as chewing sugar-free gum to assist.
  • Brush Your Teeth: This point can not be stressed enough. Brushing your teeth, at least twice a day, is the single most important step to your oral hygiene. When you brush, angle the toothbrush toward the space between your teeth and gums. This will help clear away plaque and debris that so easily settled along the gum rim. Be sure to change your toothbrush frequently, approximately every three months. Toothbrushes can collect bacteria, we want this tool to assist in removing bacteria, not introducing more. Some patients find that they are more successful using a rotary brush, review all products. To be most successful, brush for at least two minutes each time, assume 30 seconds per quadrant.
  • Floss Your Teeth: Flossing is a very important and often missed part of your oral hygiene. Flossing removes food debris and plaque from between your teeth. Today, there are many options for flossing, some patients prefer the standard floss thread, others like the floss sticks, and some prefer the water pik. Review the available products and find the best fit for you. Choosing not to floss often results in patients developing gum disease.

At Advanced Family Dentistry & Braces, we want to help our patients be successful in their home dental care. We are happy to discuss options and products with you, along with providing some treatments and tools that can help you be more successful. Treatments including dental sealants, crown lengthening, and deep cleanings through scaling and root planing, can help you maintain a healthier mouth. Dr. Gerhardt can provide you with more information.

Our staff is happy to assist you, contact Advanced Family Dentistry & Braces at our Cedar Park location for more information. (512) 643-6060.