Technique Matters: Proper flossing technique is crucial. Gently guide the floss between your teeth, curve it around each tooth in a C-shape, and slide it up and down to clean the sides. Be gentle to avoid damaging your gums.

Make It Routine: Tie flossing to an existing habit, like brushing your teeth—floss after brushing to reinforce the habit.

Stay Positive: Don’t be too hard on yourself if you miss a day. The goal is progress, not perfection. Keep a positive attitude and get back on track.

Share Your Journey: Let’s Floss Together!

We’re excited to join you on this 2-week flossing journey. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and share your progress and experiences with us using the hashtag #AandAFlossingChallenge. We’d love to see your commitment and celebrate your successes along the way.

Remember, the 2-week flossing challenge isn’t just about improving your oral hygiene; it’s an opportunity to make a positive change in your daily routine. So, grab that floss, embrace the challenge, and let’s work together towards achieving a brighter, more confident smile!

At what age should dental care start for my child? How can I keep my toddler’s teeth healthy? When should I schedule the first checkup?

These are just a few of the questions parents have about their child’s dental care. You know you want to prevent cavities, but what’s the best way?

Here are some tips and guidelines to help you keep your child’s teeth healthy from birth:

Birth to First Tooth

Did you know infants are born with their entire set of 20 primary teeth already below the gum line? That’s why it’s important to think about dental care before the first tooth even comes in.

Gently wipe your baby’s gums with a clean damp washcloth or gauze pad after every feeding. Finish bottle feedings before putting your baby down to sleep.

Avoid putting pacifiers or feeding spoons in your mouth because you can pass cavity-causing germs to your baby. Instead, rinse pacifiers with water to clean them.

1st Tooth to 12 Months

The first tooth usually emerges when a baby is 6-8 months old. After the first tooth appears, lightly brush your baby’s teeth and gums with a soft-bristled toothbrush but no toothpaste. At this stage, you should schedule the first dental appointment. The AAPD recommends seeing a dentist by your baby’s first birthday.

12 to 24 Months

Continue brushing your child’s teeth twice daily with plain water only. Make a dentist appointment if you notice any irregular brown or white spots, which can indicate tooth decay.

2 – 8 Years

Around the age of 2 years, begin brushing your child’s teeth twice daily using a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste. Teach your child to spit out all the toothpaste after brushing and not to swallow it.

Toddlers will need help brushing their teeth, but you can let them hold the toothbrush and try brushing them first. After they’ve had a turn, you can finish and make sure their teeth are brushed properly. Once your child has two teeth that touch, you should floss them daily.

Regular checkups every 6 months will help prevent cavities and other dental problems.

You’ll need to help your child until you’re confident they can clean their teeth properly by themselves. Every child is different, but most need supervision until ages 8-10.

What’s the best way to brush your child’s teeth?

1. Stand or sit behind your child so they feel secure. Brush teeth in front of a mirror so they can watch and learn – and you can see inside their mouth.

2. Angle the toothbrush bristles towards the gum. If you’re using an electric toothbrush, move the brush gently across the teeth. Move the brush in gentle circles if you’re using a manual toothbrush.

3. Brush the inner and outer sides of the teeth, the chewing surfaces, and the gum line.

4. Gently brush your child’s tongue.

5. After brushing for 2 minutes, encourage your child to spit out the toothpaste, not swallow it. There’s no need to rinse with water after brushing because the fluoride toothpaste left behind helps protect your child’s teeth.

Looking Ahead

As your kids grow and their permanent teeth come in, plan on routine dental checkups every 6 months. Limit sugary foods and encourage proper brushing and flossing to keep your child’s teeth healthy. When added to regular dental visits and a balanced diet, these home treatments will help give your child a lifetime of healthy dental habits. To schedule an appointment, contact Atkins & Anderson DDS today.

After months or years of wearing braces, your smile is finally picture-perfect. You’ve invested a lot of time and money to make your teeth straight, and it was worth it–you love your reflection! But without wearing a retainer, you risk watching your teeth shift back into their pre-braces location. Many orthodontists recommend a removable retainer for the top teeth and a fixed or permanent retainer for the lower teeth. Because of their convenience, permanent retainers are a popular choice. We’ll review everything you need to know about fixed retainers to make the best choice for your teeth.

What is a Permanent Retainer?

A fixed or permanent retainer is glued to the back surfaces of your teeth to effectively restrict the movement of your teeth after your braces are removed. Permanent retainers are often preferred over removable retainers because you do not have to take them out and replace them throughout the day. Permanent retainers ensure that your teeth maintain a new, aligned position that not only enhances your smile, but also corrects spacing or crowding problems. 

Four Cons to a Permanent Retainer

In some cases, a permanent retainer indicates that your orthodontic issue is unresolved even after your braces are removed. If the cause of misalignment is correctly addressed, there should be no need for a permanent retainer. While they are convenient, there are some drawbacks to a fixed retainer:

• Diminished Proprioception: Each individual tooth was created to function independently, moving mildly in its respective socket. A permanent retainer bonds multiple teeth together, preventing individual movement and diminishing the proprioceptive property of your teeth.
• Early Bone Loss: Did you know that your teeth subtly move when you chew or clench your teeth? Permanent retainers restrict normal tooth mobility, which leads to a decreased blood supply to the periodontal ligament. Over time, this causes young, healthy people to experience bone loss around the teeth that are secured to a fixed retainer.
• Difficulty in Maintaining Oral Hygiene: It’s not easy to correctly and thoroughly brush and floss your teeth with a metal wire glued to the surface. Flossing around the retainer and in between your teeth requires extra time, patience, and effort. A floss threader is recommended for patients with a permanent retainer to effectively clean your teeth. Regular dental visits are also necessary to protect your teeth from plaque and tartar buildup around the glue and wire of your permanent retainer.
• Replacement Expense: If a fixed or bonded retainer breaks or becomes detached from your teeth, expect to pay an extra fee. The detached end can also hurt your tongue or gums if it’s not addressed quickly.

Four Pros to a Permanent Retainer

Despite the drawbacks, there are several reasons a permanent retainer is a helpful tool:

• Convenience: There’s no need to take your retainer out to eat, drink, give a presentation, or take a picture if you have a permanent retainer. Removable retainers must be worn for a certain number of hours every day, but you won’t have to pay attention to those details if you have a permanent retainer.
• No Speech Interference: There’s no issue with your speech when you have a permanent retainer. In most cases, your speech will be affected if you choose to wear a removable retainer.
• Unnoticeable: With a fixed retainer, you can keep your smile straight without the distraction from wires.
• Reliable: Once a permanent retainer is in, you don’t have to keep track of it. There’s no risk of losing it, which makes it an easy choice for kids and teenagers.

Tips to Effectively Clean Your Permanent Retainer

It will take some time to get used to cleaning your teeth with your permanent retainer, but after a few days of practice, it will become second nature and should not impair your oral hygiene.

• Continue Brushing Regularly: Brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes. Make sure the bristles of your toothbrush get around the glue and in between the wire to thoroughly clean the surface of every tooth. You may consider an electric or sonic toothbrush.
• Keep Flossing: Just because it’s a bit more tedious, don’t skip out on flossing your teeth. You may need to use a threader to help get the floss through the gaps in your teeth along the wire. Be gentle as you maneuver the floss on the sides of your teeth so that you don’t harm your gums.
• Schedule a Cleaning: Regular cleanings at your dentist’s office will ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy, especially in the hard-to-reach places associated with your permanent retainer. A dental hygienist can effectively brush, floss, and remove plaque that forms around the bonding. They can also give you more tips and training on how to take care of your teeth and permanent retainer.

To schedule a cleaning and properly maintain your permanent retainer, make an appointment at Atkins and Anderson Dentistry, today.

Maybe you’re meticulous about brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and scheduling a cleaning twice a year with your dentist. Keep it up! This is the best practice to avoid and prevent oral health problems. But how do you know if it’s time to make an appointment outside of routine cleaning? Below is a list of 8 signs that it’s time to call your dentist. If you notice at least one of these issues, don’t wait. Make an appointment as soon as possible. Ignoring these issues could lead to bigger, more painful problems.

1. Excessive Pain

If you have pain in your mouth, don’t hesitate to call your dentist. If you have localized pain in one area of your mouth or tooth, and swelling in your mouth or face, there could be a number of underlying issues.

2. Changes in Your Gums

If your gums look puffy or bleed when you brush your teeth, make an appointment with your dentist. Find out if there is a history of gum disease in your family and share that information with your dentist. Catching and addressing gum problems early on is crucial to your overall oral health.

3. It’s Uncomfortable to Eat

If you experience discomfort when biting or chewing your food, see your dentist as soon as possible. In the meantime, consume soft foods and liquids so that you don’t unintentionally do more damage to your teeth.

4. Dry Mouth

Always feeling thirsty or feeling that your mouth is constantly dry, are often red flags of an underlying medical issue or a reaction to a medication. The sooner you seek dental care, the better.

5. Jaw Pain

When you wake up with jaw pain, experience pain in your jaw while chewing, or notice a popping sound when you open and close your mouth, it’s time to call your dentist. It’s also important to schedule an appointment if you have an uneven bite. Dental work can correct or prevent jaw pain—it’s not something you have to learn to live with.

6. Spots and Sores in Your Mouth

Call your dentist if a sore in your mouth lasts longer than one week. This can include canker sores, cold sores, leukoplakia, and candidiasis. Mouth sores can be caused by irritation from braces, dentures, or a cracked or broken tooth. But they are often symptoms of an infection, disease or disorder, virus or fungus.

7. You Hide Your Smile

If you attempt to hide your teeth when you smile or speak, contact your dentist. Maybe there is a new reason–a broken or chipped tooth, discoloration, or loss of teeth. Or you wish your teeth were straighter or brighter. There are many restorative and cosmetic solutions your dentist can pursue.

8. You’re Pregnant

In some cases, pregnancy can make dental problems worse. Keeping your scheduled appointment is completely safe for you and your baby. However, many women find that they are most comfortable during the second trimester, so you may consider making an appointment during that time.

Our team at Atkins and Anderson Dentistry is here to serve you and help your teeth stay healthy. Never let embarrassment or fear keep you from scheduling an appointment. In many cases, the sooner you address an issue, you’ll experience less pain and prevent long-term damage. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have pain or notice any of the above issues or need to schedule a routine cleaning and exam.

Flossing your teeth is an important step in your dental hygiene. You can protect your teeth and gums from decay by removing bacteria and food residue when you floss at least once a day. Find a time of day when you have a few extra minutes to floss after brushing your teeth. To make sure you’re flossing the right way, we’ve simplified the process into six easy steps.

Step 1: Break off approximately 18 inches of floss and wrap the majority of it around one of your middle fingers. Leaving enough space, wrap the other end of the floss around your middle finger on the opposite hand. As you floss, this hand will gather the used floss.

Step 2: Hold the floss between your thumbs and forefingers.

Step 3: Gently guide the floss in between your teeth, up to your gum line. Be careful not to snap the floss into your gums.

Step 4: Once the floss reaches your gum line, curve the floss in a “C” shape around one tooth. Then, carefully slide the floss into the space between the top of your tooth and gums.

Step 5: While you hold the floss tightly against the side of your tooth, move the floss away from your gum by rubbing gently in an up and down motion. Repeat these steps on every tooth, including your back molars.

Step 6: Throw the used floss away. Reusing old floss will not be as effective and has the potential to leave behind bacteria.

If you have questions about the proper flossing technique, call us at Atkins and Anderson Dentistry. Brushing and flossing regularly are critical to a healthy mouth, but nothing compares to the deep clean we can give your teeth and gums in our office. Scheduling a routine dental visit is another way you can protect your teeth from decay. Contact us today and make an appointment for you and your family.

You brush your teeth twice a day, is flossing really that important? While brushing your teeth is necessary for good dental hygiene, there are many benefits to flossing. When you include this step in your daily routine, you take great strides towards the overall health of your teeth and gums. Read on before you decide to skip out on flossing your teeth. 

The Advantages of Flossing

Dental floss removes plaque and food particles in places your toothbrush often misses. If plaque builds up, tartar forms. Tartar is a hardened deposit that discolors your teeth, makes the removal of plaque more difficult, and leads to decay and gum disease. Tartar can only be removed by a professional dentist. Flossing also increases the brightness of your smile. You may not even realize how much plaque and debris are covering your teeth until it’s removed after flossing. Unhealthy gums often lead to the loss of teeth or the need for a root canal. Many people avoid flossing because their gums bleed easily. But flossing enhances your gum health and the more your floss, the less likely your gums will bleed. Reduce your risk for gingivitis and gum disease by flossing once a day. No matter your age, start today and you’ll take back your gum health. 

The Best Time to Floss

Pick a time that you’ll remember and that enables you to be consistent. If you’re famous for running late in the mornings, don’t add another step to your morning routine. Many people have found that flossing right after lunch has multiple advantages. Not only does flossing remove food particles and plaque immediately after a meal, but it leaves their mouth feeling clean and decreases the temptation for an afternoon snack. Regardless of what time of day you commit to flossing your teeth, consistency is the key. 

The Disadvantages to Flossing 

Actually, there are no disadvantages! Flossing only has positive effects on your overall oral health. It promotes strong teeth by reducing the buildup of plaque that leads to tartar. Flossing also decreases your risk for gum disease and reduces the presence of gingivitis. Gingivitis is the first sign of gum disease but is easily treatable when flossing becomes a part of your daily routine. If your gums are currently sensitive, or you have arthritis and find flossing difficult, there are other options besides traditional floss. Consider using a water pik to keep your mouth clean and healthy. Talk to your dentist about flossing options rather than skipping it altogether. 

 

It’s never too late to start flossing. Even if you’ve never been a consistent flosser, today’s a new day. Start taking the best care of your teeth and gums by adding this simple step into your oral hygiene routine. If you’re concerned about gingivitis or tartar, schedule an appointment at Anderson & Atkins, DDS today. 

Flossing tends to be one of the most overlooked forms of dental hygiene. Yes, brushing your teeth is important, but so is flossing daily. In order to effectively protect your teeth from cavities and decay, you need to add this habit to your oral care routine. Let us teach you how to properly floss so that you get the best results.

Is it Really Necessary?

If you’re not convinced that flossing is actually beneficial, maybe we can help. Flossing protects you from cavities and gum disease by easily removing plaque. Plaque is that sticky film on your teeth that contains a bacteria drawn to sugar and leftover food in your mouth. Once it begins to feed on the leftovers, it releases an acid that destroys your teeth and causes cavities. Plaque easily sneaks between your teeth, in the hard to reach places that your toothbrush can miss. Flossing is the best way to eliminate the plaque. If the plaque is not removed, it hardens and turns into tartar, a substance that leads to gum disease. Tartar cannot be removed by anyone except your dentist. So, the most effective way to prevent tartar buildup, cavities, and plaque is to floss every day.

How Do I Floss?

Below are five steps that will help you floss correctly. This correct technique is provided by the American Dental Association (ADA).

Step 1. Take 18 inches of floss and wind the majority of it around one of your middle fingers on your left hand. Take the remaining floss and wind it around the same finger on your right hand, leaving a few inches of floss in between.

Step 2. Take the leftover floss and tightly hold it between both thumbs and pointer fingers. You will move through the floss, unwinding it from your left hand and catching used floss in your right hand.

Step 3. With a gentle, rubbing motion, move the floss between your teeth. Be careful to avoid snapping the floss into the gums.

Step 4. Once you get to the gum line, curve the floss into a C shape around the tooth. Carefully move the floss into the space between the gum and the tooth.

Step 5. With the floss tight against the side of the tooth, move it gently in an up and down motion away from the gumline.

Repeat steps 3-5 on every tooth and make sure you floss the back side of your last tooth.

What Else Should I Know?

The exact time of day that you need to floss is up to you. All that matters is that you include this habit on a daily basis. Many people feel that they are less rushed at night and add a few extra minutes to their nighttime routine by flossing. For those that are too tired to do one more thing in the evening, we suggest flossing after your mid-afternoon snack.

There are several different kinds of floss that you can use. Find the one that is best for you and will not deter you from skipping this important step. One type is unwaxed floss. If your teeth are close together, this floss is good because it is thin and fits into tight spaces. However, it is prone to breaking or shredding. Waxed floss is a nylon floss with a wax coating. It is stronger and breaks less easily than unwaxed floss. There are also soft flosses for those with sensitive teeth and gums that bleed easily. Flavored flosses are ideal for kids, and super floss is best for those with braces or dental bridges.

While regularly brushing and flossing is key to good oral hygiene and a healthy mouth, these habits do not exempt you from a professional teeth cleaning. Schedule a cleaning for the whole family at Anderson & Atkins, DDS today by calling (979)846-1813.

 

Sources: https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/basics/brushing-and-flossing/why-you-should-floss-daily

https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/f/flossing-steps

https://oralb.com/en-us/oral-health/solutions/floss/dental-floss-types-pros-cons

Anderson & Atkins is happy to announce the rollout of their social media video series, “Ask a Dentist”! In these videos, the dental professionals from Anderson and Atkins will be answering frequently asked questions from their followers on Facebook. For the first video in the series, Dr. Brady Atkins is discussing the pros and cons of manual flossing versus flossing with a Waterpik. Check out the video here, and to submit your own questions, follow us on Facebook!

 

 

Sources: Evaluation of the Plaque Removal Efficacy of a Water Flosser Compared to String Floss in Adults After a Single Use and Comparison of Irrigation to Floss as an Adjunct to Tooth Brushing: Effect on Bleeding, Gingivitis, and Supragingival Plaque