Healthy Smiles Family Dental

If you don’t brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes and floss at least once a day, you should not be surprised if gingivitis develops. Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease and if addressed in a timely manner, can be reversed. To prevent periodontal disease, you should always visit our doctors at Healthy Smiles Family Dental at least twice a year for routine cleanings and dental exams. Gingivitis develops when plaque is left in the teeth. Plaque can turn into tartar which only our staff is able to remove, but if you have a proper oral hygiene routine, tartar should never appear. If you are experiencing gum inflammation, or notice a bit of blood in the sink when you floss, visit our office immediately to get the problem under control. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to more serious health problems. If you have questions or concerns regarding the periodontal disease, please give us a call. To learn about services provided at our practice, visit www.my...

Most of us view flossing as a chore, but it’s a very important task to complete. Flossing between the teeth removes harmful bacteria and food particles that can lead to tooth decay. Our doctors at Healthy Smiles Family Dental want you to keep your permanent teeth for a lifetime, and we don’t want to hear excuses for not flossing. There is a proper technique to follow, try it out and don’t forget to visit us for a dental checkup. Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers. Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums. When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a “C” shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth. Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gen...

At Healthy Smiles Family Dental, our doctors want your oral hygiene routine to be frequent and consistent. Though you’ve been brushing your teeth for many years, you may not realize that there is a proper way to clean them. When brushing, massage the gums gently before working your toothbrush toward the enamel, then continue with these steps. Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums. Move the brush back and forth in a circular motion in short (tooth-wide) strokes. Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke. Brush your tongue to remove bacteria. If you have questions or concerns regarding dental health, please give us a call. To learn about services provided at our practice, visit www.myfamilydentistsalem.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Healthy Smiles Family De...