Is Brushing Your Teeth Enough?

For as long as most of us can remember, we have been admonished to brush our teeth at least twice a day, or after every meal if possible. The logic is sound: not brushing your teeth often enough will allow bacteria to accumulate into plaque, which coats the surfaces of your mouth, teeth, and gums.

Flossing is just as important to good hygiene

When food is lodged between teeth, it continues to feed the bacteria, which continue to produce acid as a result. While brushing your teeth removes the majority of plaque and food debris, a toothbrush cannot reach the tight spaces between teeth. Flossing at least once a day can remove these food particles and lessen the chance of cavities forming.

Regular dental cleaning

Even if you brush and floss your teeth faithfully, it is important that you have your teeth professionally cleaned on a regular basis. Over time teeth tend to build up a layer of plaque (a sticky, bacteria-rich film) and hard deposits (called tartar, or calculus) that are very difficult to remove without special tools. If left uncontrolled, this can lead to inflammation and infection of the gums, and possibly influence systemic (whole body) diseases.