Brushing 

• Good brushing starts with a good toothbrush. We highly recommend an electric toothbrush as it is most effective at cleaning plaque and tartar. Worried about the cost? Once you invest in the electric toothbrush, the upkeep is similar and just as cheap as changing a regular toothbrush as you only need to switch out the toothbrush heads.
• Replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head when the bristles start to fray or become worn – about every three to months.
• Use gentle pressure when brushing. Aggressive tooth brushing can irritate the gums and even cause gum recession in some cases.
• Brush at a 45-degree angle to the gumline. Picture the bristles cleaning right at and just below the gumline by using this technique.
• Be sure to brush all sides of each tooth – the cheek side, tongue side, and biting surface. It is especially important to brush the furthest side of your very back teeth.
• Brush the surface of your tongue. This removes bacteria and can help freshen your breath.
• Brush after every meal. By cleaning away food debris and plaque consistently throughout the day, you can guarantee a fresher smile and breath, as well as prevent sugar from food and beverages from causing cavities in the long term.
• Use fluoridated toothpaste. Fluoride is essential in preventing tooth decay (cavities) as it remineralizes tooth enamel (the outer, protective layer of your tooth) and can even stop cavities from progressing in the earliest stages of tooth decay.

Flossing

Be sure to floss! Toothbrushing cleans the outer, inner and biting surfaces of your teeth, but does not adequately clean the side surfaces between teeth.

• Use a long piece of floss. About 18 inches is recommended, approximately the length from your hand to your shoulder. This will allow you to wrap it around your fingers with a good grip and have space to guide the floss between teeth.
• Gently guide the floss between your teeth with a rubbing motion. Try not to pop the floss down too forcefully, as doing this can damage the papilla, or gums, between the teeth.
• Focus on each tooth as you floss at the gumline. Curve the floss into a C-shape against one tooth at a time. Think of it as cleaning the entire side of the tooth, rather than just at the contact point where the teeth meet.

Other Helpful Tips

• Reduce your daily intake of sugary food and beverages.
• Use a straw when drinking sugary beverages to minimize contact with your teeth.
• Drink plenty of water. Tooth decay occurs when the mouth is acidic, which occurs after eating or drinking. Water neutralizes and hydrates your mouth, promoting a healthy oral environment.

Dentist-Recommended Resources:

https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/oral-hygiene

The post Top Tips for Healthy Teeth and Gums from Your Dentist and Hygienist first appeared on Katy Trail Dental.

What does a head and neck exam involve? As your dentist, we will explain the head and neck exam prior to starting to walk you through the process, ensuring your comfort and understanding. We start with a visual inspection of the face, head and neck for asymmetry or skin changes. We encourage patients to visit a dermatologist for regular skin checks, especially if irregular skin lesions or moles are discovered.

The examination will start at the collar bones and move up toward the head, checking the lymph nodes on both sides. Most head and neck cancers spread, or metastasize, through lymph vessels. Your dentist will check for any lymph nodes that are enlarged, fixed or hard in consistency. With gloved hands, your dentist will palpate your collarbones, neck, thyroid gland, under your chin and next to your ears where your TMJ, or temporomandibular joint, is located. Your dentist will ask you to open and close, and ask if you have had any symptoms or sensitivity of your TMJ on either side. This invites a conversation regarding possible TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder. As always, let your dentist know if you have noticed an abnormal lymph node or any issues with your TMJ.

Next, your dentist will change gloves and continue with an intraoral exam. We will inspect the lips, gums, oral mucosa, tongue, floor of mouth, hard and soft palate, the tonsils and oropharynx (part of the throat behind the mouth). As always, if you notice any new or unusual sores, growths or lesions in your mouth, it is important to let your dentist know so they can evaluate. We encourage you to ask any questions you may have throughout the oral cancer screening – we love to educate our patients so that they are empowered to take care of their oral and overall health.

What is next? If a suspicious or abnormal finding is discovered during the oral cancer screening, your dentist may recommend evaluation by a specialist, such as an oral surgeon or oral pathologist. These are dentists who have undergone extensive specialized training to evaluate, diagnose and treat oral pathologies and cancers. We work closely with these specialists to collaborate on your care and ensure your needs are addressed.

The American Cancer Society anticipates approximately 58,450 new cases of oral or oropharyngeal (throat) cancer in 2024. The most common sites of these cancers include the tongue, tonsils and oropharynx (the part of the throat behind the mouth), the gums, and floor of mouth. Tobacco and alcohol use increase risk of oral and oropharyngeal cancer. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection increases the risk of oropharyngeal cancer. If you have questions about these cancers and your individual risk, we encourage you to ask questions to your dentist.

The topic of oral pathology and cancer can cause emotions of worry, concern, fear, anxiety and more. As your dentists, we acknowledge and validate these emotions, and hope to alleviate these feelings by educating and providing tools in order to allow for your best care.

Dentist-Recommended Resources:

What Are Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancers? The American Cancer Society.

The post What is a Head and Neck Exam? The Importance of Oral Cancer Screening first appeared on Katy Trail Dental.