Do I REALLY Need to Floss????

The dreaded question from the hygienist:  "Are you flossing???"

You think to yourself if I say "Yes" will they know I'm lying?  The answer is "Yes, Yes we do!"

So what's the big deal why do you need to floss?

A very common misconception about flossing is that because it can often times cause the gums to bleed, and become sensitive, many people want to simply avoid it. Doing so can actually increase the severity of gum disease. When the gums bleed, nine times out of ten, it’s as a result of bacterial infection present; gingivitis.  Give yourself 3 weeks of flossing every night and you'll see a big decrease in bleeding and sensitivity after flossing!

Some Facts for you:
1.  Within seven minutes of eating or drinking anything, tiny bacteria from the food/drink particles aggregate together and begin to form a sticky film all over the oral cavity.

2.  Within an hour or so that microscopic layer of bacteria begins to form plaque.

3.  As plaque sits on the enamel and gum tissue it begins to mineralize, or harden. If left long enough, it can actually become as solid as a rock. This new formation is termed tartar or calculus,

4.  Brushing and flossing do an excellent job at removing plaque ("sticky film") from your teeth and gums BUT the bristles of the toothbrush and the material composition of the floss are NOT strong enough to remove calculus (hardened plaque). 

5.  Your dental hygienists’ instruments have blades and cutting surfaces, which are specifically designed to remove calculus (hardened plaque).



6.  Flossing will remove the plaque from between your teeth which mean less calculus for the hygienist to remove!!!!  YEAH!!!  Everyone's happy now!

Still don't want to floss.....

Ok try this!  FLOSS YOUR TEETH BEFORE YOU BRUSH!!!

Why?  Because lets face it after we brush (for 2 mins!) our teeth feel CLEAN, who is going to floss if their mouth feels clean????  So floss then brush then you'll be going to bed with CLEAN teeth!!! 

So to answer the question "Do I really need to floss?" I would say "Only the ones you want to keep!"

So if you want clean teeth and healthy gums give us a call at (804) 288-8200 and we'll get you scheduled or you can always check us out online www.BaicyDental.com, see you soon!

Do you Brush Correctly?

Only 1 in 10 people brush effectively!  Do YOU?

To that, we have to say a great big "YUCK"!!! Imagine if only ten percent of the population showered correctly.  That would be GROSS. But according to researchers at The University of Gothenburg, 90% of the population does not brush their teeth in the right way!

Don't worry!! We are here to help you. So sit back and open wide as we present....

The TOP 8 Toothbrushing Tips!

     1. SIZE MATTERS

Many people use a large toothbrush head thinking "the bigger the better".  But you can brush just as effectively if not more so with a smaller brush, especially if you have to strain your mouth to use a larger one.

According to dental consumer advisor Dr. Richard Price, "the more comfortable it is in your mouth and your hand, then the more liekly you will use it and use it properly."

     2.  IT'S GOOD TO BE A SOFTY!

It would seem to make sense that fimer bristles would clean your teeth better, but many times they just wind up damaging your sensitive gum tissue.  The American Dental Assocation recommends a soft-bristled brush and we agree!

     3. DON'T DO A RUSH JOB!

While most people spend 15 seconds or so per round of brushing, a full 2 minutes is best.  And to make sure you don't play favorites, divide your mouth into 4 sections and spend 30 seconds on each.

Some electric toothbrushes actually have timers!

     4.  WHAT'S YOUR ANGLE?

While we typically picture toothbrushing to be a horizontal affair, that leaves out many important tooth surfaces, including the crucial areas where the tooth meets the gum line.  Aim your bristles at a 45 degree angle and make sure they gently dip below the outer surface of your gums.  This can get very tricky, and we recommend that you have Christine give you a full demonstration next time your in!

     5. IT'S AN INSIDE JOB!

The inner surfaces of the teeth are often overlooked, but just because they hide from daylight doesn't mean you should neglect them!  Take the time to brush all tooth surfaces, inside and out.  Oh and don't forget your tongue either!

     6.  RINSE-A-RAMA!

After you brush, loose bacteria are floating around in your mouth having a big old party.  It's time to finish them up with a rinse of mouthwash or even water.  They're on your toothbrush too, so it's always a good idea to run that under the faucet for a few seconds when you finish!

     7.  FORCED RETIREMENT!

Many people get nostalgic over their old toothbrushes, but keeping them for too long is a big mistake!  Frayed bristles can't celan correctly, and even worse- they harbor all kinds of nasty germs.  The American Dental Assocation suggests changing your toothbrush every three to four months- but we think that may even be too long of an interval for many.  When in doubt- toss it out!

     8.  AND THERE'S ONE MORE THING.....

Even though we are discussing toothbrushing, it just wouldn't be complete without mentioning those tooth surfaces between your teeth- the ones that can't be reached with a brush.  Yes, that's right- we all need to floss!! Daily flossing prevents cavities and helps to keep your gums in good shape.

At Baicy Dental we want you to have strong healthy teeth and gums, fresh breath and a beautiful smile!  Please call us at 804-288-8200 or go online at www.BaicyDental.com to schedule an appointment, ask any questions about keeping your teeth and gums nice and clean.  We are here for you!

If you want to learn more about us check out our Website, Facebook and Twitter.  We look forward to hearing from you.