Smile !

√ Change your toothbrush every 3 months, or as soon as the bristles start to show wear.

√ Get a complete dental exam every 6 months, even if you wear dentures

√ Make sure you are using a brand of toothpaste that contains fluoride; if you have sensitive teeth stay away from whitening toothpastes

√ Use a toothbrush with soft bristles, some people prefer electric toothbrushes because of their effectiveness at removing plaque

√ Be sure to brush and floss daily (2x) and keep up with regular cleanings.  Always brush your tongue and use an ADA approved mouthwash like Listerine

√ Angle your toothbrush 45 degrees and sweep the toothbrush away from the gums. Never scrub horizontally back and forth or b rush towards the gums

√ Brush for at least 2 whole minutes, or 30 seconds per quadrant

√ Find a dentist that makes you feel comfortable and talk to them about what worries you.

How should I plan for a trip to the dentist?

√ You should expect a complete exam and some x-rays. Sometime you may even have your teeth cleaned at your first visit

√ Bring a current list of medications and any dental records or x-rays available from your previous dentist. You should also bring your dental insurance card if you have one.

Questions ?

√ What is the best way to clean my dentures? Remove them from your mouth and use a denture brush to gently scrub them.  The, soak them overnight every night in a denture cleanser like “Polident.” Always brush any remaining teeth after the denture is removed.

√ Why do my gums bleed when I brush or floss? Bleeding gums is an indication that bacteria associated with periodontal cleaning and be sure to floss daily!