What’s the deal with flossing?

On By drsako

Let’s face it, many people don’t floss. A hygienist’s mantra might as well be “You must floss daily! Or your teeth will fall out!” How many of us actually heed this advice? Most think, “Come on, that’s not going to happen.”

There is truth to this mantra. Is it an exaggeration? Perhaps. The point is this, brushing alone cannot reach all those “in-between” spots. That’s where floss comes in. Why should you care about those spots? Let’s go back to the basics.

Q: Why do we brush in the first place?

A: It is to remove PLAQUE, a biofilm that forms on your teeth daily. It is white and soft, but sticky.

Q: Why do we need to remove plaque from our teeth?

A: If plaque is not removed, it will soon become hardened by minerals in your saliva. The plaque changes into something called, TARTAR, or CALCULUS (no, not the dreaded math class).

Q: Why should I care if my plaque turns into tartar?

A: While plaque is easily removed by brushing and flossing, tartar is not. Once it is stuck to your teeth, it cannot be removed, except by a dentist or hygienist. Tartar is a breeding ground of bacteria and minerals. Overtime, it causes inflammation, bleeding, and eventually, loss of bone around the teeth if not removed. Most of these symptoms will go unnoticed by the patient, because it doesn’t cause pain in the initial stages.

Q: Are there other benefits to flossing?

A: YES! It helps with bad breath, believe it or not! The more plaque you can remove on a daily basis, with brushing your teeth and tongue, in addition to flossing, the fresher your breath will be!

 

I’m an adult, why do I need braces?

On By drsako

At Esthetic Dentistry, the majority of our clientele is the adult population. And yes, we offer short-term braces to our adults patients. Braces are not just for teenagers anymore!

“I can’t wear braces! I’m 40 years old!” Well why not? These days, seeing braces on adults has become more common. Clear brackets reduce the stigma of “train tracks”  and the overall look of braces has become more esthetic than years past.

We also offer clear removable trays or aligners, but often a patient will choose the clear braces over the clear trays. Why? First, the short-term braces we offer usually work a bit faster than the clear trays. Second, they are significantly more affordable than aligners. Third, there are no excuses. The braces are stuck to your teeth no matter what. With clear trays, the patient has the ability to remove them at any time. When the trays are not in your mouth, they are not moving your teeth. The braces are bonded to your teeth, and are working, 24 hours a day.

Any downsides to braces? Well, some may say esthetics. But it’s only temporary, maybe 6-8 months in most cases. Also, oral hygiene can be more challenging with braces. Our solution is to have the patient use a Waterpik-it is a fantastic tool and keep the gums healthy during the braces process.

If you want to improve your smile and need orthodontic work, consider short-term braces. You may be able to achieve the straight and beautiful smile you have always wanted in six months or less!

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