How to Properly Brush and Floss

How to properly brush and floss is one of the most important aspects of any home dental healthcare program. Taking good care of your teeth at any age is essential to long-term dental health and overall general wellness. Even though you are brushing your teeth on a daily basis, the question becomes whether or not you are doing it in the right way? Knowing how to brush and floss in the correct manner makes it more effective and keeps your teeth strong and healthy. Best of all, when you brush in the right way and floss correctly, you greatly reduce the chances of tooth decay and plaque buildup. This simply translates into better dental health. 

Brushing For At Least Two Minutes 

Here are a few tips on how to properly brush and floss. For example, always choose a toothpaste that has fluoride, so your teeth are better protected. Choose a soft or medium bristle brush so that the brushing you do is gentle to the teeth and gums. In terms of frequency, most dental care providers and professionals recommend brushing for at least two minutes each day. This simple step alone can make a substantial difference in your overall dental health and wellness. It also helps to improve dental hygiene and provides for better breath. 

The Short Strokes 

When brushing, hold the toothbrush at a 45° angle firmly near the gumline and use short gentle strokes. This should result in the toothbrush being moved back and forth consistently. Always make sure to get the teeth that are all the way in the back. The trick to getting the brushing process right is to stick with the short strokes. It is also important to brush the chewing surface of each tooth in a short back-and-forth motion. When brushing the front teeth, it is recommended to move the toothbrush up and down rather than sideways. 

Flossing Should Be Gentle and Delicate 
How to Properly Brush and Floss

As a final note, it is always a good idea to brush your tongue and then begin to floss. When flossing, choose a piece of floss that is about 12 inches or longer. Hold it tight between fingers on each hand and then use the floss to begin removing food and particles from between teeth. As a note of caution, avoid pushing the floss to tightly down into the gums as this could cause bleeding, injury and pain. As with brushing, flossing should be gentle and delicate so as not to damage the teeth or gums. Follow these simple strategies and enjoy overall better dental health. Contact your Petaluma dentist, Dr. Amir Hosseini, at Petaluma Braces and Family Dentistry, today for more information. 

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Porcelain Inlays and Onlays

Porcelain Inlays and Onlays

Considered a lab-made restoration, porcelain inlays and onlays are a type of restoration that are used to repair a tooth when there is a cavity or some lost tooth structure. They are most commonly applied in instances where tooth loss within the tooth structure has been too great to simply require a standard filling. The process required to custom craft an inlay is similar in many ways to the making of a crown. Once the tooth has been prepared by the dental care provider, the inlay will be permanently cemented or bonded into the tooth structure. 

Alternative to Fillings 
Porcelain Inlays and Onlays

Keep in mind that there are a variety of materials that can be used to create inlays. This includes everything from composite resin to porcelain as well as even the unique advantages of gold. Inlays that are made of composite or porcelain as well as onlays are considered a type of cosmetic dentistry that is an alternative to fillings. They are also incredibly strong when compared to composite fillings. Talking with your dental care provider is the best way to know for sure whether inlays or onlays are right for you. 

Proper Home Dental Care 

It is also important to note that this type of dental restoration can be easily damaged as is the case with other similar restorations. For example, those who grind their teeth, chew ice or bite down on other hard objects can easily damage inlays and onlays. Proper home dental care is also important. While these dental restorations will typically last decades, given enough time eating the wrong kinds of foods and drinking the wrong liquid while not maintaining a good home dental health oral hygiene program, will eventually stain or become discolored. Common sense is typically the best approach to maintaining all dental work whether it be a restoration or natural teeth. 

Consulting with Your Dentist 

As with everything else in dental care, the best place to start is to simply talk with your dental care provider to decide if porcelain inlays and onlays are right for you. The good news is that modern dentistry has advanced to such a degree that virtually any type of dental health related problem can be addressed today. Simply consulting with your dentist about your options is always the first place to begin. Whether choosing inlays or onlays, it is important to note that even serious dental health conditions can be resolved with the right type of treatment. Talk with your Petaluma dentist, Dr. Amir Hosseini, at Petaluma Braces and Family Dentistry, today for more information. 

Resources:
Invisalign and its Benefits Compared to Braces

What is Surgical Dentistry?

Today there are more dental modalities than ever before, and all are intended to help patients of all ages enjoy a better quality of life as a result of improved dental care. Surgical dentistry is one of the most important aspects of dentistry for those who have had severe injury or had excessive dental disease. In short, an oral surgeon is able to perform certain types of surgeries they can greatly improve overall dental health and wellness. There are a number of different types of oral surgeries that are routinely used today. 

Repair the Teeth and Jaw After a Severe Injury 
surgical dentistry

For example, surgical procedures that are dental in nature may be used to remove a tumor or deal with an impacted wisdom tooth. Surgical dentistry is often frequently used to perform gum grafting, tooth implants, root canal and even repair the teeth and jaw after a severe injury. With so much to offer it is clear to see why oral surgery is so important in dentistry, today. Even those with overcrowded teeth may require that a tooth be removed. This is one more instance where an oral surgeon would be of great help. 

Prepare for The Surgical Procedure 

If you require oral surgery your dentist will likely give you some instructions with regard to how to prepare for the surgical procedure. You should set up your home properly to allow for a comfortable recovery. For example, you may wish to set up your bed so that you can sit upright at an incline. Follow the pre surgical and post surgical instructions of your oral surgeon to the last detail. This will ensure a speedy and healthy recovery. There is a phase where healing must occur and that is why the postsurgical instructions are particularly important. 

You May Be Required to Eat Soft Foods 

Equally important is to arrange transportation back to your home following surgery. Some anesthesia can linger and make it unfeasible to drive. Oral surgery recovery can be a good experience as long as the patient follows the surgeon’s recommendations. Recovery can take anywhere from a few days to a month or more. It simply depends on the level of surgical procedure that was performed. You may be required to eat soft foods and may also find it necessary to drink through a straw. Obviously, eating chewy foods or foods that are crunchy or hard is never recommended. Talk with your Petaluma dentist, Dr. Amir Hosseini, at Petaluma Braces and Family Dentistry today to learn more about surgical dentistry.

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Advantages of Cosmetic Dentistry

Invisalign and its Benefits Compared to Braces

Invisalign is a modern dental technology that produces a lot of benefits in terms of straightening teeth as compared to traditional braces. Best of all, it is virtually invisible and hard to detect. This means that those involved with a teeth-straightening program can enjoy the benefits of straighter and better-looking teeth without the social stigma. Invisalign is a good choice for those wishing to maintain the highest levels of self-esteem and self-confidence. Looking good and feeling great while having your teeth straightened is possible thanks to this new technology. 

Visit the Dentist at Regular Intervals 
Invisalign and its Benefits Compared to Braces

Best of all, today Invisalign is surprisingly affordable and convenient. Talk with your dental care provider or orthodontist to find out more regarding this innovative and unique technology. The aligner trays are changed periodically through the treatment and will require that you visit the dentist at regular intervals. However, after a successful treatment the patient enjoys beautifully straight teeth and a more attractive smile. With so much to offer it is clear to see why more people than ever are turning to this advanced teeth-straightening technology as a way to improve outward visual appearance. 

Follow the Instructions of Your Orthodontist 

One important consideration with regard to this technology is that the aligner trays must be worn as instructed or the entire process simply will not work. In other words, follow the instructions of your orthodontist so that your teeth are straightened the way the program intends. One of the additional advantages of Invisalign is that the aligner trays can be removed for eating, sleeping and drinking. They can also be removed so that a regular oral hygiene program can be maintained at home. In other words, simply remove the aligner trays brush and floss and then replace the trays as necessary. 

Modern Metal Braces 

This simple, innovative and highly effective system for straightening teeth is very effective and has a proven track record. However, that said there are cases where an individual may not be a suitable candidate for this type program. When this is indeed the case, traditional metal braces with brackets and wires may be necessary. Even in this case, today’s modern metal braces come in different colors and different styles. Talk with your orthodontist to find out which system suits you or your children’s needs the best. Contact your Petaluma dentist, Dr. Amir Hosseini, at Petaluma Braces & Family Dentistry, today for more information on teeth straightening technology that gets results. 

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Advantages of Cosmetic Dentistry

Advantages of Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry is an excellent and innovative way of improving appearance, especially in terms of one’s smile. It is an affordable and safe way of enhancing appearance when it comes to the teeth and gums. It is typically different than restorative dentistry because its main purpose is that of visual appeal as compared to functionality. The advantages of cosmetic dentistry is that it includes a wide array of unique techniques, procedures and treatments. This includes everything from teeth whitening to cleaning and removing stains as well as even restoring chips in the teeth.  Other common types of dental procedures that are considered cosmetic in nature include bridges, dentures, dental crowns, braces and dental implants. 

Surprisingly Affordable 

Here are some of the most important benefits of common cosmetic dentistry that are worth considering. Because dentistry that is cosmetic in nature is so popular today, it is worth considering all that this type of dental care has to offer. Perhaps one of the most obvious benefits of this treatment is that it is surprisingly affordable. Even those on a limited budget can improve their appearance and enhance their smile in ways they never thought possible. Equally important is that cosmetic treatment of this kind can actually enhance overall health by taking care of many common oral health related problems. From tooth decay to other even life-threatening conditions, cosmetic dentistry often helps. 

Improving Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence 
the advantages of cosmetic dentistry

One of the major benefits associated with modern cosmetic dentistry is that of improving self-esteem and self-confidence. Those who have a poor looking smile or unattractive teeth often suffer low self-esteem and low self-confidence. With some basic cosmetic dentistry type procedures, this can all be reversed helping people to regain their confidence in no time at all. Even more interesting is the fact that cosmetic work can also enhance quality of life by returning chewing functionality.  

Painless And Quick 

With visual appearance enhancements, such as a brighter and more beautiful smile, or teeth that are correctly aligned, anyone can enjoy a great looking smile. Teeth whitening procedures are frequently used in cosmetic dentistry as a way to create a more vibrant smile. With so much to offer it is clear to see why cosmetic work is so popular today. Best of all, dentistry that is cosmetic is typically painless and quick. Modern technology and advances in dentistry have made this possible. Most cosmetic dental procedures only require a short office visit. To learn more about cosmetic related dentistry topics and general dental health contact your Petaluma dentist, Dr. Amir Hosseini, at Petaluma Braces and Family Dentistry today. 

Resources:
How To Make Teeth Whitening Treatment Last Longer