Your Velma dentist can do their part in keeping your mouth is at its healthiest. Through regular cleaning, exams, and necessary restorative treatments, your dentist can treat decay and gum disease quickly before it spreads. But any good dentist will tell you that excellent oral health begins at your own bathroom sink! While patients may only visit their dental care provider every six months, steps can be taken twice a day, every day, to ensure clean, strong teeth and healthy gums. Below, learn some surprising statistics about at-home dental care, that will help you remember to pick up your toothbrush morning and night.
If you are searching for the best dentist in Velma, OK, look no further than Dr. Matthew L. Bridges, an experienced dentist who operates one of the oldest dental practices in nearby Duncan, OK. Dr. Bridges offers comprehensive care, including children’s dentistry, cosmetic treatments, preventive care, and restorative treatments. Give us a call if you’re looking to find a gentle, knowledgeable dentist near you!
Think you know dental care? Discover these incredible dental facts to “brush up” on your dental health knowledge.
Your Mouth is an Exceptional Host
Almost 200 species of both good and bad oral bacteria live on the average patient’s teeth, gums, and tongue at any given time. Those patients who brush regularly and practice optimal oral hygiene may have about 1,000 to 100,000 bacteria on every tooth surface, while those patients who could use benefit from better oral care may have up to 1 billion bacteria on every surface!
That’s a Lot of Toothpaste
Americans buy more than 14 million gallons of toothpaste every year! When it comes to toothpaste, it’s best to buy a variety that has the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance. (Like these, listed here.) We recommend choosing an option with fluoride in it, a safe substance that can help strengthen enamel and allow your teeth to better fend off decay.
Enamel is #1
Your tooth enamel, or the outer layers of your teeth, is the strongest biological substance in the body. It’s said to be as strong as steel! Yet, while enamel is incredibly strong, it can be brittle because of it mineral makeup. The crystalline calcium phosphate (the same substance that your bones are made of) can break or crack unexpectedly if it experiences trauma at just the right angle or force. For this reason, it’s important to never use your teeth as tools to open packages or cut string. In addition, check your food carefully so you don’t bite down on a hard popcorn kernel or shell fragment.
Flossing Pulls Its Weight
Do you even skip flossing in favor of hitting the hay early? Don’t skip your final oral care step! Flossing isn’t just an “extra” step after brushing; it reaches the 40 percent of teeth surfaces that are missed by your toothbrush, and is imperative for reaching a fully clean mouth. To make flossing easier, and more fun, invest in an oral irrigator which uses a thin stream of pulsating water to clear plaque and food from between the teeth.
Find a Velma Dentist Near You
When it comes to your teeth, the more you know the better! So if you want to know the best dentist in the Velma or Duncan area, look no further than Dr. Matthew Bridges at Chisolm Trail Smile Center. If it’s been more than six months since your last dental appointment, give us a call to schedule a routine cleaning and examination!
