Fuller Dental is a general dentist office that serves patients in the Burlington, NC area. Our dental practice focuses on providing general dentistry services to patients of all ages. Regular checkups are ideal to ensure proper oral hygiene and also disease prevention. Fuller Dental focuses on preventive care and early awareness of common dental problems.
You should visit us twice a year to maintain your dental health. In addition to preventive dental services, our dental team offers cosmetic dentistry treatments and restorative dentistry treatments.
Maintaining good oral hygiene between visits is one of the most important things you can do for your teeth and gums. Healthy teeth not only enable you to look and feel good, but they also make it possible to eat and speak properly.
Good oral health is important to your overall well-being. Daily preventive care, including proper brushing and flossing, will help stop problems before they develop.
Between regular dentist visits, we can take simple steps to greatly decrease the risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental problems. These include:
- Brush twice a day thoroughly and floss daily
- Eat a balanced diet and limit snacks between meals
- Use dental products which contain fluoride, including toothpaste
- Rinse with a fluoride mouth rinse if advised to do so
- Make sure children under 12 drink fluoridated water or take a fluoride supplement if they live in a non-fluoridated area
- Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams
- Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months
The following are indications of good oral hygiene:
- Your teeth are clean and free of debris
- Gums are pink and do not hurt or bleed when you brush or floss
- Bad breath is not a constant problem
The Importance of Routine Dental Care
A professional tooth cleaning is an important part of your preventive care routine and can play a role in the longevity of your natural smile. While good oral hygiene at home is important, our Burlington, NC dental hygienists can reach tooth surfaces often missed with daily tooth brushing.
While cleaning your teeth, we look for signs of tooth decay or damage that can be more easily addressed in the early stages. If problems exist, Dr. Fuller may recommend additional visits to maintain optimal dental health. Keeping your smile clean and healthy benefits both your oral and overall health.
Dental Cleaning
A dental cleaning is a professional cleaning from a dentist or dental hygienist. Most dental cleanings take approximately one hour. Using specialized dental tools and a gentle technique, the hygienist will thoroughly clean all surfaces of the teeth and gums.
Professional dental cleanings help to eliminate disease-causing bacteria. Plaque left untreated can lead to unhealthy gums and tooth decay. We will remove excess plaque and polish your teeth during your routine cleaning. Cleanings should be performed every six months to prevent excessive plaque buildup.
Routine dental care also includes screening for oral cancer and periodontal disease. It’s important to discover these diseases early when treatment can be both conservative and most effective. If issues such as gum disease, tooth decay, or even oral cancer are left untreated, they can cause serious damage to your overall health.
Hygiene Care FAQs
Dental hygiene care is the best way to be proactive about your oral health, eliminating problems before they start. Learn more by reading the answers to these frequently asked questions.
What’s the proper order for oral healthcare?
When caring for your teeth at home, you want to start with floss first. Flossing gets rid of any residual debris that’s stuck in between your teeth after your meals. Next, break out the mouthwash. When you brush your teeth, you’re spreading the ingredients of the toothpaste across your teeth. If you use mouthwash after this, you can wash away those ingredients. At the very least, be sure you’re doing all these things, even if it’s in a different order.
How long should I brush my teeth?
Each time you brush your teeth, you should brush for at least two minutes. At a minimum, brush your teeth twice a day. If you have trouble brushing for this long, set a timer on your phone to ensure you get to that two-minute mark. Some toothbrushes have built-in songs or timers to help you brush your teeth as long as you should.
What habits contribute to poor oral health?
Even if you brush and floss regularly, certain lifestyle habits can increase your chances of developing tooth decay and gum disease or damage to your teeth. Smoking and other oral tobacco use greatly impact your oral health — even oral cancer. Biting your nails or using your teeth to open packaging damages your teeth. Drinking coffee or tea regularly can stain or discolor your teeth.
Does poor oral health impact my overall health?
Yes, not taking care of your mouth properly can impact your entire body. Poor oral health correlates with heart disease, strokes, and premature births. With gum disease, bacteria from that can get into your bloodstream and travel throughout your body. It doesn’t just impact your physical health, either. It can also have lasting impacts on psychological and social health.
Do I really need to visit the dentist if I brush my teeth regularly?
Yes, both the in-office and at-home aspects of oral hygiene are important. Dental hygienists have special tools to clean and reach places your traditional toothbrush and dental floss can’t access. The exam portion of regular dental visits is important, too. We have diagnostic tools and training to see problems you may not notice at home.
Does mouthwash or an oral rinse benefit my oral health?
These come with benefits, but knowing they won’t replace brushing and flossing is important. They work as a supplement to these things. Some patients may need a specific mouthwash to assist with dry mouth. Rinses can also target cavities, bad breath, sensitivity, and gum health. We can help determine the best mouthwash to meet your needs.
Most patients experience little to no discomfort during their cleaning and enjoy a fresh, clean feeling after treatment. Call us at (336) 290-7401, or request an appointment online today.