How to Brush Your Teeth (The Right Way)

The importance of daily tooth brushing seems obvious. Unfortunately, daily brushing isn't very effective if you aren't doing it correctly. At Dr. Hamon, we want all of our patients to be educated about the benefits of proper oral hygiene to ensure a lifetime of healthy, beautiful teeth.

Proper Brushing Techniques
The following brushing basics from the American Dental Association can help you keep your teeth in great health.

• Brush at least twice a day, especially after meals and before bed.
• Soft-bristled brushes are recommended for thorough, gentle cleansing of the teeth and soft tissues of the mouth.
• Brush lightly. Brushing too hard can damage your gums.
• Brush with a fluoride toothpaste- it's best for fighting plaque and cavities.
• Brush for at least 2 minutes, ensuring you reach all surfaces of each of your teeth.
• Use short, back-and-forth motions to clean the inside and outside surfaces of the teeth, as well as the chewing surfaces and areas around fillings, crowns or other restoration.
• Brush at an angle gently along the gumline to prevent gum disease.
• Remember to brush your tongue to remove bacteria and reduce bad breath.
• Follow brushing with a fluoride mouth rinse for added protection and fresh breath.
• Floss daily to remove debris from hard to reach areas and along the gumline.
• Replace your toothbrush as soon as it becomes worn or at least every 3-4 months.

Proper brushing and flossing combined with a well-balanced diet play an important role in the prevention of tooth decay and gum disease. You should also visit our Katy office regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams. We can help you determine what types of oral care products and techniques will be most effective for you and your family.

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is an oral health condition characterized by consistent, foul breath. Frequently unpleasant and often embarrassing, there are easy steps you can take to keep your breath fresh, starting with good oral hygiene.

The main cause of bad breath is odor-causing bacteria which collect on food particles in the mouth. Foods that accumulate between the teeth, around the gums, and on the tongue can decay, causing an unpleasant odor when not properly removed. Other common causes include certain types of food, such as garlic and onions. Tobacco use that causes dry mouth can contribute to breath odor as well.

The easiest way to eliminate bad breath is to exercise good dental hygiene. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily. Remember to gently brush your tongue. Rinse and gargle thoroughly with a dentist recommended mouthwash to freshen your breath.

While the majority of bad breath is easily treated, chronic bad breath may be a sign of more serious medical disorders and underlying conditions, including gum disease, respiratory infections, diabetes, kidney or liver disease and digestive problems. With that said, if simple steps to fresher breath don't eliminate your problem, visit Dr. Hamon to determine the cause of your bad breath.

It is important to discover the underlying cause of halitosis, and from there, create a plan to eliminate the problem. Visiting our Katy office is a good place to start. If your mouth is determined healthy and not originating from your mouth, you may be referred to your family physician to determine the cause of your bad breath and treatment.

Gum (periodontal) disease is a chronic infection of the tissues that support your teeth caused by the buildup of plaque- the sticky, colorless film that is constantly forming on your teeth. In the early stages, bacteria-rich plaque builds up, irritating the gums. As the disease progresses, the plaque turns into hard tartar that brushing can't remove, and this can cause the tissues to pull away from the teeth, forming pockets that can trap infection. Without treatment, gum disease will ultimately lead to permanent tooth loss.

The severity of gum disease can range from simple gum inflammation to serious infections that result in major damage to the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth. But gum disease can impact more than your smile. In fact, the same bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease can impact other important systems in your body as well. Recent studies have found that people with gum disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from heart disease as those without gum disease.

Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease

Some patients won't show obvious signs of gum disease. That's why it's important to visit Dr. Hamon for regular checkups and cleanings. Visit our Katy dental office as soon as possible if you are experiencing any of the following:

• Tender, red, swollen gums
• Gums that bleed easily
• Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
• Loosening or separating of permanent teeth
• Change in your bite
• Pus between the gums and teeth
• Persistent bad breath

Gum Disease Prevention: Start with the Basics

The good news is that being diligent about your dental health can prevent plaque from forming and even reverse early stages of gum disease.

• Visit Dr. Hamon for routine cleanings and checkups. We can remove tartar build up and check for changes in your mouth.
• Brush at least twice a day- morning and before bed- to remove bacteria and plaque that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
• Floss daily to reach areas in between your teeth and along the gumline where harmful plaque accumulates.
• Maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet that is rich in vitamins and nutrients and low in sugary foods and drinks.

Gum disease is a serious oral infection that affects millions of Americans. And while there are several treatments a dentist can perform to treat the problem, it's best to avoid gum disease in the first place by brushing, flossing and visiting Dr. Hamon for regular exams and cleanings. Start taking care of your gums now to prevent tooth loss and other serious health problems in the future.

Gingivitis -- an inflammation of the gums -- is the mildest form of periodontal (gum) disease and the easiest to treat. The leading cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene, which leads to plaque buildup. Plaque is the sticky, colorless film of bacteria that constantly forms on the teeth and gums. When plaque isn't removed with daily brushing and flossing, it produces toxins that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis and eventually advancing to the most severe form of gum disease when left untreated. Other factors may contribute to gingivitis as well, including smoking, aging, diabetes, nutrition and pregnancy.
The signs and symptoms of gingivitis are often subtle, and many people have gingivitis without even knowing it. It's important to notify Dr. Hamon when you notice the slightest changes in the condition of your gums, including:

• Gums that bleed easily during and after brushing or flossing your teeth
• Swollen, puffy gums
• Change in color of gums from pink to red
• Bad tasting or smelling breath
• Soft, tender gums

Reversing the Symptoms to Save Your Teeth

With professional treatment from your dentist and an improvement in your oral hygiene, gingivitis can easily be reversed since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected. Left untreated, however, gingivitis can advance to periodontitis, a serious infection that destroys the soft tissue and bone that support your teeth. As the disease progresses, gums begin to recede and the teeth shift and become loose. In fact, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
Luckily, keeping gums healthy and avoiding gum disease is easy with good oral hygiene and regular checkups with your dentist. You can promote healthy gums and stop gingivitis before it develops by:

• Brush regularly, at least twice a day
• Floss daily
• Eat a well-balanced diet
• Rinse with mouthwash after brushing and flossing
• Avoid smoking and other tobacco products
• Visit our Katy office regularly for professional cleanings and check-ups

Gingivitis is a serious condition that can lead to severe forms of gum disease when left untreated. Fortunately, with a dedicated dental health plan and regular visits to Dr. Hamon, gingivitis is easy to detect and easy to reverse before it has a chance to advance to periodontitis.

If you've experienced tooth loss as a result of tooth decay, gum disease or injury, it's important to replace the missing teeth to avoid additional problems, including a shift in your remaining teeth, a misaligned bite, and an older, sunken facial appearance. Whether you've lost some or all of your teeth, Dr. Hamon can provide removable dentures that can restore your smile, boost your self-esteem and improve your health.

Dentures are a set of replacement teeth for any teeth that are missing. When healthy teeth remain, there are partial dentures, which take the place of only a few teeth and prevent the others from shifting position. If all teeth have been lost, there are complete dentures for replacing an entire set of teeth, which can include upper dentures, lower dentures or both. Both full and partial dentures improve your ability to chew and speak, while supporting facial muscles and enhancing appearance.

Advancements in dental technology are creating dentures that are more comfortable, more durable and better fitting than ever before. At Dr. Hamon, we can custom design dentures that not only replace teeth, but ensure the best possible fit, function and comfort for your jaw and bite.

Dentures can help you look better and feel better, but may offer other benefits as well. Dentures can:

• Prevent other teeth from shifting position
• Improve your ability to chew and speak
• Support the muscles in your face

The loss of one tooth or many teeth can be devastating, but it doesn't have to be permanent. The condition and severity of your remaining teeth will determine the type of denture that will best address your needs. Visit our Katy office for an examination, and we'll work with you to determine the best treatment plan for you.