Why You Should Floss Regularly

The American Dental Association reported surprising statistics on how Americans view the importance of flossing. They reported that 50.5% of Americans floss daily, 31% of Americans floss less than daily, and 18.5% of Americans do not floss at all. Which category do you fall into?

The ADA recommends flossing once a day. That means 49.5% of Americans are missing out on this all-important step of dental health care and maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

If you brush your teeth twice a day as recommended but still forget to floss, you’re missing out on cleaning one-third of each of your teeth.  Every time you brush, you clean the top, inside, and outside of each tooth. However, there are areas between your teeth that your toothbrush can’t clean effectively without flossing. When you brush without flossing, you are only cleaning 65% of your teeth, leaving 35% unclean.

Bacteria can thrive along these unattended surfaces, and over time lead to the formation of plaque, tooth decay, and gum disease. Floss removes debris trapped between the teeth and removes the film of bacteria between your teeth before it has a chance to harden into plaque. Tip: Don’t forget to floss all the way to your very back teeth.

Brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits are all essential factors of proper dental care that should not be overlooked. Visit West Bloomington’s Krengel Dental for your next dental appointment. Take the time to care for your teeth, and they will thank you with a healthy smile to be proud of.

Tooth Decay: How to Prevent it and Spot it When it Occurs

If you’re reading this, you most likely have had or know someone who has had a cavity. Cavities are so common that they affect approximately 90% of the population. 

To prevent cavities, you have to start at the root of the problem (pun intended): tooth decay.

Tooth decay is the process that results in a cavity. It occurs when bacteria in your mouth makes acids that eat away at a tooth. It can cause many problems from pain to infection and even tooth loss if not treated properly.

Causes of Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is caused by a combination of bacteria and the food you eat. Bacteria are always forming on your teeth and gums through plaque. When you eat, the bacteria feed on the sugars in the food you eat and turn to acids. That’s enough to make you rethink your decision to eat candy! The acids then attack the teeth for 20 minutes or more after eating. Over time, these acids destroy your tooth enamel, resulting in tooth decay.

Symptoms of Tooth Decay

Tooth decay does not usually show any symptoms until you have a cavity, making it that much harder to diagnose yourself! When you get a cavity, the symptoms are:

·      Toothache (usually from infection)

·      Bad breathe

·      White, gray, brown, or black spots on the teeth

·      Loose fillings

·      A broken tooth or a tooth that is sensitive to pressure

How To Prevent Tooth Decay

You can easily prevent tooth decay by brushing and flossing your teeth regularly,  seeing your dentist for teeth cleaning and checkups, and avoiding foods that are high in sugar.

How To Treat It

Treatment for tooth decay depends on the severity of the case.  Come see us if you think you are displaying symptoms of tooth decay. You may need fillings or, in severe cases, a crown or root canal. In the most extreme cases, tooth removal may be necessary.