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5 Great Benefits Of Flossing

benefits of flossing

We’re constantly told how important flossing is for our oral health, yet for many of us, it isn’t something we do as recommended – or even at all. Flossing is important, sure, but brushing and using mouthwash is enough to clean your teeth, right? Do you really need to floss? There are many benefits of flossing that a lot of people don’t realize. Flossing is essential for your oral health in a number of different ways. 

Here’s what you need to know about some of the top benefits of flossing so you can better understand just why flossing is so important. Let’s dive in!

#1. It Cleans Those In-Between Spaces

Yes, your toothbrush cleans the plaque away from the fronts and backs of your teeth, but it can’t reach the spaces in between them. A lot of people assume that just swishing mouthwash around your mouth will do what your toothbrush can’t. However, plaque is stubborn and gunk can be very hard to get out from in between your teeth. 

One of the benefits of flossing is that it makes cleaning the spaces between your teeth easier, and is very effective about it too. Plaque and gunk can get really stuck to the surface of your teeth, necessitating mechanical removal, as flossing provides. Brushing removes these things from the fronts and backs of your teeth, but it can’t entirely clean in between them. 

#2. It Makes Your Teeth Look Brighter

veneers vs crowns

When you have plaque and excess food particles stuck in between your teeth, it can really dampen your smile. It makes your smile look duller and less crisp and beautiful. One of the benefits of flossing that isn’t talked about as much is how much it can do to brighten your teeth. The difference between a smile that has plaque and food particles stuck between your teeth and one that is fresh and clean in every way can be astounding. 

If you don’t floss regularly, you may have grown accustomed to how your teeth look with the buildup of plaque between them. But when you floss, the difference is as clear as night versus day, and you’ll realize just how much your teeth needed that cleaning. 

#3. It Makes Your Gums Stronger

One of the most common protests against flossing daily is that it makes your gums bleed. In truth, this is precisely why you need to floss. It may seem counterintuitive initially, to floss when it hurts and is making your gums bleed. However, this is typically because your gums are inflamed due to all the bacteria that’s built up and that you are now working to clean out by flossing. 

One of the benefits of flossing is that if you’re consistent about it, that bleeding and pain will typically stop, and you’ll be left with stronger, healthier gums. It’s important to floss regularly in order to prevent gum disease. It’s equally important to ensure that you’re flossing correctly. We have a few blogs about how to floss correctly and proper flossing techniques. 

If your gums are still bleeding and hurting when you floss after a week or two, consult with your dentist. They’ll be able to determine why this is happening and whether or not there are underlying issues that need to be addressed.

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#4. Stave Off The Dental Drill

Very few people like having dentists drilling into their teeth in order to fill a cavity. One of the best benefits of flossing is that it helps you prevent cavities, and ergo, avoid the dental drill. It does this by removing the plaque and food particles that, over time, can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Tooth decay results in cavities and cavities result in your teeth getting drilled in order to remove the decay. Flossing once a day can go a long, long way to prevent tooth decay and cavities.

#5. Reduce Bad Breath

Sure, brushing and mouthwash help your breath, but you also need to floss in order to keep your breath fresh and clean. Many people don’t realize that this is one of the benefits of flossing because they don’t think about how when plaque and food particles get stuck in between your teeth, they’ll start to decay, which can ergo lead to bad breath. Flossing daily can prevent this from happening.

Do You Want To Learn More Benefits Of Flossing?

Mountain View Dental is here to help you maintain your oral health. If you have any questions about flossing – how to do it, why you should do it, etc, our dentists are happy to answer them. Contact us today to learn more about flossing or to set up an appointment. 

Whether you’re looking for a toothbrush, floss, mouthwash, or even toothpaste, it’s essential to know exactly what you’re looking for. After all, how do you know you’re getting a toothbrush that isn’t too soft or floss that isn’t too stiff? Luckily, most products have a user guide in their packaging that provides information on how the product works and how to use it. That user guide can help you choose the perfect product that will improve your oral hygiene. However, don’t overlook the packaging. After you decide what kind of product you want, it’s also important to consider how the packaging is designed.

Here are our tips to get the best dental products.

Know Your Teeth And Gums

As with any professional cleaning, be sure to read the instructions, stick to the directions, and use the product as intended. More importantly, take the time to brush your teeth and gums.

Before you buy, see if your dentist or hygienist has a recommendation for a good dental hygiene product. They’ll know you can get more from your products than from a brush or floss alone. Next, make sure the product you want to use is right for your teeth and gums. They may have a recommendation for specific brands or products, but you’ll want to find something that works. The best products will work well on all types of gums and no matter what your current routine. Finally, look for design and durability. Do you like your products to be harder or softer and more or less flexible? The choice is yours.

Know Your Preferences

Certain things are known about what you need in your dental products. For example, you will want to use non-removable stains, dental dams, and dental floss for everything but the most sensitive work. On the other hand, you can get away with many of the same products without worrying about sensitivity for a lot of work and brushing.

Consider your preferences and your budget and try to find the best products to suit your needs. Also, be sure to compare prices. It can be hard to decide where to buy something – knowing when to buy an affordable brand and when to splurge can be a real struggle for many shoppers.

Know Your Dentist’s Preferences

Although dentists vary from one to another, they all seem to agree that if you want a mouthful of teeth, you need a few basic things to help out. This is why it’s important to know your dentist’s preferences so that you can make the best choice for your needs. Your dentist may have specific techniques, areas, or types of products that work best for them.

It’s essential to ask if they have specific dental products recommendations. If you’ve just moved or need to visit a dentist who’s not from your practice, you’ll need to figure out their dental care preferences. Chances are, your dentist has a set of preferred brands and products. Ideally, you’ll find one dentist who works with a wide variety of products. You might also take the time to ask why they prefer certain brands and products.

Conclusion

Selecting dental products can be a daunting task, but knowing what to look for will help you choose. Use the tips provided above to help you choose the best dental products for your needs. There are various products on the market, but some brands are loved the most by customers and others that most dental professionals love. It’s crucial to select the products that meet your needs and goals and determine if they’re even available in your area. And, keep in mind that new products come out regularly.

If you still don’t know exactly what you need to buy, take the time to have an in-person consultation with a dentist who can give you a direct prescription on how to use your dental products. Our team here at Mountain View Dental will be happy to answer all of your questions regarding dental hygiene. If you’re in the Pleasant View, Utah area, please schedule an appointment with us today.

Let us start by saying that there truly is no such thing as the “best flossing technique.” Everyone learns differently, and so it is hard to give advice that will work for everyone. However, many factors can be evaluated in determining the quality of your flossing. And, one of these factors is the technique you are using.

In other words, what method you are using determines the quality of your flossing. You have to learn the correct techniques to ensure that you will do a thorough cleaning and prevent any formation of bacteria or any foreign bodies in your teeth.

Why Floss?

Flossing is the process in which you use a narrow strip of plastic tape to collect and trap the food particles in between your teeth. The reason why you need to floss is to remove plaque and bacteria from between your teeth. Also, flossing can help remove any odd taste from your mouth. Flossing can also improve the health of your gums and help prevent tooth decay.

Types of Floss

As you learn the flossing technique, you will realize that there are two types of strips available. The first one is called soft floss, and the other is called hard floss. The first type is recommended for children, while the second type is for adults. There are also some types of floss that are made from synthetic materials. All of these different types are created for slightly different purposes.

The Best Flossing Technique

You might be wondering how to get started. Well, this is simple. It is necessary to begin by brushing your teeth twice daily. Make sure that you floss on both sides. It is also vital to have a dental floss holder at night for easy access to the floss.

Floss is made out of one of two materials: polyester or nylon. Nylon is much easier to clean than polyester. However, both can be used for removing bacteria. They also help you prevent gum disease.

Some bacteria like to hide under the crevices of your teeth. To keep them from hiding, you should floss in those areas. You should also be aware of the gums that are close to where you are flossing. Bacteria love to make their homes near or around healthy gums. So, be sure to clean under the gum line frequently.

Troubleshooting Tips

One of the biggest problems that people face with flossing techniques is the process of removing the tough outer plaque that is stuck between the teeth and the floss. This problem is called “cavity formation.” Learning the flossing technique will include the use of a specialized tool called a “cavity cleaner.” This tool will easily loosen up the tough outer plaque that is stuck between the teeth.

Remember that flossing is a daily activity. To maintain good oral hygiene, you must continue to do it daily. Practice flossing techniques regularly. There are also mouthwashes and toothpaste designed to kill any bacteria present when you do floss. The best flossing techniques will remove any bacteria that may be present on your teeth and gums. Additionally, learning the best flossing technique will save you money on dental bills. 

Are you tired of not having a beautiful smile? Contact us here at Mountain View Dental. Our team of professionals will have your smile looking great in no time. We can also answer any questions you may have on flossing.

Practicing proper dental hygiene requires a lifetime commitment. Even if you’ve been told you have a nice smile, you need to stay on top of maintaining your pearly whites. Every day, patients ask about steps they can follow to keep their smiles bright and beautiful. Even if you don’t see immediate effects, realize that most dental care is all about daily habits and prevention. This involves getting the right products for you and creating healthy habits that will last. Let’s take a look at the top 5 tips for achieving better oral health.

Brush your Teeth Twice a Day for Two Minutes

Let’s start with the basics. The ADA (American Dental Association) recommends that you brush your teeth for around two minutes at least twice a day. This is to help prevent plaque from forming on your teeth. If you spend less than two minutes brushing, you simply won’t remove as much plaque. In fact, a recent study showed that simply increasing your brushing time from around 45 seconds to 2 minutes can help remove up to 26% more plaque.

When it comes to choosing the brush that’s right for your teeth, make sure to stay away from hard bristles. Try to select a toothbrush that fits your lifestyle needs as well. If you’re on the go more often, use a manual toothbrush and brush your teeth with small, circular motions across all of your teeth and gums. If you’re in one place more often, go for the electric toothbrush with a rotating brush head. Remember to switch out your brush whenever the bristles become stiff, frayed, or discolored.

Floss After you Eat

One of the most important habits to start and maintain is flossing. It’s not fun and it takes patience to master, but the rewards are definitely worth it. Basically, flossing helps keep the in-between, hard-to-reach areas of the mouth clean and debris-free! Think of floss as the fun attachments that come with your all-in-one vacuum cleaner that helps you clean baseboards, reach corners on the ceiling, and clean underneath sofas. To keep your teeth healthy and clean, floss at least twice a day or after every meal to ensure all food particles are removed.

Most people brush their teeth first and then floss afterward, but the reverse is actually the best way to go about it. If you floss your teeth first, you’re removing the harder-to-reach particles from all the crevices in the mouth. Then, when you brush your teeth, it’s easier to remove everything from the mouth, including what you just flossed out. Make sure you talk to your dentist about proper flossing methods before building an incorrect habit. If hand-held flossing isn’t working, speak to your dentist about using other methods of flossing.

Don’t Smoke

Put simply, smoking increases your risk for gum disease by over 50%. Not only does it completely ruin your oral health, but it also leads to other serious illnesses like multiple types of cancers, heart disease, and diabetes. The most common problems smoking causes to your dental health are: bad breath, tooth yellowing, increased build-up of plaque and tartar on the teeth, and delayed healing after all types of oral surgeries. The more serious problems smoking causes are bone loss within the jawline, increased risk of leukoplakia and gum disease, tooth loss, and a significantly increased risk of developing oral cancer.

Since smoking is one of the most addictive habits to break, the ADA informed patients that once they stop smoking, they can see immediate restorative benefits in their oral health. For instance, smokers who reduced their smoking amount by half had immediately decreased their risk of gum disease by 50%. A separate study showed that leukoplakia had completely resolved within 6 weeks of over 96% of patients who stopped using all tobacco-related products (including smokeless). Ask your dentist immediately for resources that can help you kick your smoking habit today!

Manage your Stress

In today’s society, stress seems like another progression of life. So, the idea of ridding yourself of stress seems like a fairytale image. However, being mindful of stressful situations as they arise and practicing stress-relieving techniques can actually make a huge difference in your oral health. In short, stress can make it harder for your body to fight against infections. Gum disease is essentially an infection of your gums that causes painful bleeding gums, tooth loss, and bad breath. Stress can also cause you to develop unhealthy habits like clenching your jaw or even pick up smoking.

Some ways to help you relieve your stress include: managing your sleep schedule to get 8 hours of sleep, exercises that help you practice breathing, meditating on things that bring you peace, and shaving off any bad habits or people from your life that cause any sort of wrongful treatment to you or your mental health.

Schedule Regular Dentist Visits

Most everyone has heard that we’re supposed to visit our dentists twice a year. While this is certainly a great start to a healthy habit, this rule of thumb doesn’t count for everyone. It’s important to remember that you and your smile are unique and will require customized care. To figure out how often you should visit your dentist, you’ll need to sit down and discuss your oral health needs.

Some people who may require more visits a year include:

  • Women who are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
  • Smokers
  • Diabetics
  • People with significant oral health problems like gum disease
  • People with dental needs requiring more visits (braces, dentures, and more).
  • Children

These Are Our Top 5 Tips for Achieving Better Oral Health

There are many tips and tricks to maintaining a healthy and happy smile. The most important thing to remember is that your dental hygiene is unique and requires a unique approach to preventing bad things from happening. While most tips are usually applied to all, speak with your dentist about setting up an oral health care plan that suits your needs. Schedule out the needed dentist visits, talk about what foods to eat and which products would work best for your and your smile. Remember, achieving better oral health is mostly about prevention! Act now before requiring any kind of serious treatments for necessary clean-ups.

To get started on improving your oral health, contact our professional and pleasant staff here at Mountain View Dental. If you have questions or want to schedule an appointment, give us a call today at 385-324-3557!

There are so many journeys in your baby’s first year of life, and getting their first tooth is certainly one of the biggest. After all, who can resist the adorable, gummy smile of a growing infant? Although your baby’s smile will grow to be unique and adorable, the process can be quite the process for both you and your baby. We asked the same questions that many new parents have when dealing with their baby’s first upcoming teeth: is my baby teething or is it something else? What should I expect when my baby gets their first teeth (or tooth)? When will I be able to sleep through the night again?

Let’s take a look at 3 helpful facts about your baby’s first teeth!

Most Babies Will Develop Their First Teeth at 6mo. – 12 mo. Old

There is a wide range of times when you can expect the first tooth to appear. Some babies may not get their first tooth until after their first birthday! Typically though, when your baby hits 3 months of age, they will start exploring the world using their mouth. This will mean picking things up like toys, car keys, and food to have it in their mouth. They will have increased production of saliva and will even place their hands in their mouth.

Many parents will question if their baby is teething, but their first tooth usually won’t appear for another 3-5 months. The first teeth to appear are usually the bottom two teeth called Central Incisors with the top two popping in shortly after. Lateral Incisors (the teeth directly next to the middle two) will probably come in next at around 9-13 months of age. Parents can rest assured that their baby will more than likely have all their baby teeth grow in by the time they’re age 3.

Give Your Baby Teething Aides to Help with Teething Pain

Parents can help alleviate their baby’s teething pain with simple solutions. Massaging their sore gums with a clean finger, giving them a cold washcloth, or a solid teething toy can help soothe your baby’s teething pain. This pain is felt because the baby’s teeth are breaching the gums to pop out and grow.
Thankfully, teething shouldn’t cause babies too much discomfort, however, it’s easy to tell when a baby is teething. Some signs to look out for include discomfort (audibly or visually) in the area where the tooth is breaching, gums tend to be swollen and tender, and the baby will begin to drool more than usual.

A baby’s body temperature may also rise slightly when teething; however, this could be a sign of an underlying illness as well. To make sure your baby is going through teething properly and safely, talk with your pediatrician regularly about a weight-appropriate dose of acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or if the baby is old enough, ibuprofen (e.g., Advil, Motrin). When you consider medication for your baby, be sure to ask your pediatrician for the right dose amount based on your child’s age and weight.

Interestingly enough, many children will show no discomfort at all when their baby teeth come in! Whatever the case may be, make sure you’re making routine visits to your dentist so that teeth come in accordingly.

Introducing Fluoride to Your Baby’s Diet

Fluoride is a natural mineral that helps prevent cavities from forming by strengthening and rebuilding the enamel of teeth. Thankfully, fluoride is often added to tap water to help fight tooth decay. Talk to your dentist about starting your baby on small amounts of tap water (or water with fluoride in it) in a drink cup as you introduce them to solid foods. Always check with your pediatrician to see what fluoride are best for your baby. Sometimes, they can recommend a fluoride supplement if your tap water is not sufficient.

Before 6 months of age, babies still being breastfed or formula-fed do not need fluoride in their diet yet. It is only safe to use fluoridated water to mix in with the formula if your baby if your baby’s pediatrician or dentist approves it as there is a small risk of “fluorosis.” Fluorosis is faint streaking marks on the teeth that happen when young toddlers consume too much fluoride from any source over a period of time. Make an appointment with your baby’s dentist to avoid fluorosis and map out the best possible plan for treating your baby’s first teeth.

Did these 3 Facts About Your Baby’s First Teeth Suprise You?

Baby teeth are crucial to your child’s oral health and development. They will help him or her to chew, begin speaking and smiling. Baby teeth are basically placeholders in the jaws for later adult teeth that are developing under their gums. When a baby tooth is not taken care of, the permanent teeth can shift into empty spaces and cause other adult teeth to push against each other as they come in. Having crowded teeth or teeth that are crooked is a horrible way to start your baby’s life. This is why starting your baby off with good oral health can help start their teeth on the correct growth path for years to come.

To schedule your baby’s first dental visit, contact our professional and pleasant staff here at Mountain View Dental. If you have questions or want to schedule an appointment, give us a call today at 385-324-3557!

You’re a new parent and there are so many ‘firsts’ that you’re planning: your child’s first birthday, their first haircut and nail trim, and teaching them their first words! Just as these ‘firsts’ are important to any parent, we want to stress the importance of your baby’s first dentist visit. Yes, new teeth coming in is a scary and unsure time for you and your baby. But, with these helpful tips, we hope to relieve most of your fears about taking your child to the dentist for their first time. After all, your child’s first dentist visit is so important when it comes to preparing them for their next ‘firsts’ in life. Your dentist can provide you with many meaningful preventative care options that will help you map out your child’s oral health options.

Let’s take a look at when you should book your baby’s first dental appointment!

How Old Should My Baby be For their First Dentist Visit?

Your child’s oral health is of the utmost importance. You want them to be ahead from the very beginning by giving them the best healthcare possible. Since you’re keeping track of your baby’s ‘firsts, this tip is easy to remember. In short, take your child in for their first dentist visit no later than their 1st birthday. Another rule of thumb to remember is to take your child in for their first visit by the time their first tooth (or teeth) come(s) in.

There isn’t much to worry about when the first visit rolls around. Usually, the dentist just wants to orient your baby with being at the office while educating parents on the best dental care measures. There is usually no need for concern and more than likely no treatments will happen on this day. However, your dentist will possibly talk you through some type of wellness plan that will help guide you and your baby through best oral health practices.

What Should I Expect at the First Dentist Visit?

This visit will be brief and straightforward, even though it’s definitely one of the most important visits your baby can attend. In the exam room, relationship and trust-building are very important, especially if this dentist will be with your child for a long period of time. Parents may be asked to sit alongside their infant depending on the age and temperament of the child.

The dentist will typically begin by checking any existing teeth that may be coming in (or attempting to come in) to make sure they are coming in nicely and as painlessly as possible. A bite check may also be prepared for your child to look for any potential problems with the gums, jawline, or other oral tissues. If your child is making it to the dentist with existing teeth, they may proceed with a routine, simple cleaning to see if your child will need any fluoride treatments.

After the exam, the parents are educated on what to expect in the coming months and years of their child’s life. Some topics they may cover include:

  • Best dental hygiene practices for the child’s teeth and gums
  • Fluoride needs and help with cavity prevention
  • Addressing any bad oral habits (thumb sucking, teeth grinding, lip biting, or sucking)
  • Teeth development stages
  • Teething resources and expectations
  • Best nutrition recommendations
  • Wellness plan schedule for future dentist visits.

Protect your Child’s Teeth at Home

There are many practices that you can do for your baby at home, even before their first teeth start to come in. Here are some healthy habits and recommended tips to begin before and after your baby’s first dentist visit:

  • Clean your baby’s gums with a small, damp cloth before their teeth start to come in.
  • Begin brushing with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and a tiny amount of toothpaste (smaller than a grain of rice) when your child’s first tooth appears. Ask your dentist at your first visit if fluoride toothpaste is recommended.
  • Prevent tooth decay from your baby’s bottle. Try not to give your baby a bottle of milk or any sweetened drink at bedtime.
  • Until your child is around the age of 8 (or is showing independent, healthy dental habits), assist your child with brushing their teeth. A fun way to bond with your kid is brushing your teeth alongside them so they can watch what-to-do and not do.
  • Limit sugary, tasty treats to help prevent tooth decay. Rather than sweets for a treat, try offering them fruits as snacks when they’re young. As they grow up, they won’t start to crave the sugar in juice boxes and candies.

Are You Prepared for Your Child’s First Dentist Visit?

Your baby’s first dentist visit should be just as exciting and rewarding as all the other ‘firsts’ they’re getting to experience. Make sure you notify your dentist ahead of time about any known allergies or health conditions that your child has. Once the first visit is done, your baby will be on their way to developing healthy oral habits and keeping a beautiful smile.

To set up your child’s first dentist visit, contact our professional and pleasant staff here at Mountain View Dental. If you have questions or want to schedule an appointment, give us a call today at 385-324-3557!

Dentist Office

2797 U.S. 89 #201
Pleasant View, UT 84414
Monday 8 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday 8 AM - 7 PM
Wednesday 8 AM - 7 PM
Thursday 8 AM - 7 PM
Friday 8 AM - 3 PM
Saturday 8 AM - 12 PM
Sunday Closed
Proudly accepting new patients from: Pleasant View, North Ogden, Harrisville, Farr West, Marriott-Slaterville, Ogden, Plain City, South Willard, Willard and Perry!

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