Dental health

Are floss picks as good as regular floss?

Floss picks vs regular floss? While it’s better to floss with a floss pick than to not floss at all, it’s important to note that floss picks can only clean a part of the tooth’s surface. Our team at Priority Dental recommends traditional floss or dental tape. Here’s why:

A floss pick holds just a small section of floss stretched in a straight line. Looking down, a tooth is shaped somewhat round or oval, with occasional irregularities. A straight segment of floss just doesn’t make sense geometrically because it doesn’t conform to the contours of the tooth as well as traditional floss used correctly. By wrapping the floss completely around the circumference of a tooth, you can more effectively clean that essential area around and just below the gumline. And your fingers are much more agile than a piece of plastic.

We have seen patients who are observant floss pick users who developed decay due to a minuscule crack the floss pick missed day after day.

Let’s review the most effective flossing technique:

1. Cut a section of floss about 18 inches long and securely wind each end around your middle fingers.
2. Take hold of the floss with your forefinger and thumb leaving about two inches to work with. Thread the floss between two teeth.
3. Hold the floss securely against the side of the tooth and move it up and away from the gumline. You want to clean the space between the tooth and gum without pulling more gum tissue away, so it’s critical to scrape up and out of the pocket.
4. Move the floss around the tooth to clean every surface—especially those that your brush can’t reach. You can use a “shoeshine” method if you like. As you use a section of floss, unwind from one hand to access a clean piece. With 18 inches, you should have enough to deliver a clean length for each tooth. If you run out, that’s okay. Just toss the used piece and cut a new segment.
5. Some people find it easier to begin on one end of the upper teeth and clean each gap one by one until they reach the end on the opposite side, and then repeat for the lower arch. Whatever method you elect, make sure you clean around every tooth, including the back surfaces of the rear molars.
6. If you have never flossed before, your gums might bleed the first few times. The bleeding may be due to gum inflammation, which is the beginning of gum disease. Keep flossing gently and the bleeding usually stops within a week or two.

To keep your teeth clean and gums healthy, nothing can replace regular visits to your dental office. Make your next appointment with Priority Dental today.

Contact Priority Dental:

307-333-6285

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

1224 E. 2nd St.
Casper, Wyoming
82601

At Priority Dental, our goal is to prevent dental problems and keep our patients’s smiles healthy and beautiful. We provide general and family dentistry at our Casper dental practice.

Adult Dental Health

As a general and family dentistry practice, we have been treating patients of all ages since 2014.

An interesting (and sad) thing we have noticed throughout the years is that many parents dismiss their own oral health. Though they vigilantly keep up with their children’s dental visits and cleanings, for some reason, they fail to pay the same attention to their own dental needs.

How Do You Keep Your Smile Healthy Throughout Your Life?

Let’s discuss adult dental needs. Once you are past the cavity-prone childhood and adolescent years, gum health becomes crucial.

Gum Disease is the #1 Cause of Tooth Loss in Adults

Did you know that 47% of U.S. adults have gum disease? In adults, periodontitis (advanced gum disease) is the most common cause of tooth loss. Fortunately, gum disease can be reversed if you catch it in its early stages.

Gingivitis

The first stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. The primary symptoms of gingivitis include red or swollen gums. If your gums hurt when brushing or flossing, it could be a sign. You may also notice unpleasant breath at times. (Others may notice it as well!) Gingivitis is usually caused by bacteria on the teeth and along the gum line. The most common treatment is increased brushing and flossing in addition to more frequent dentist appointments. It’s a good idea to visit your dentist every 3 months for deep cleanings and professional care. Your dentist may also prescribe a fluoride rinse.

Early Stage Periodontal Disease

When the infection spreads beneath your gums it allows the destructive bacteria to start attacking the bone holding your teeth in place. This may bring about redness and swelling of the gums, worsening breath, and intermittent bleeding. Early-stage periodontal disease can’t be completely reversed, but your dentist can develop a treatment plan to prevent it from getting worse.

Moderate Periodontal Disease

At this stage, you are at risk of losing teeth. To treat it at this stage, your dentist will need to clear away plaque from below the gum line (this same treatment may also be used with early-stage periodontal disease) in order to help halt the infection. Since your gums are slowly detaching from your teeth at this stage, surgery can reshape your gums and close the pockets between your gums and teeth. With superb self-care and one of our skilled oral hygienists at your side, you can still save your teeth.

Advanced Periodontal Disease

The concluding stage of periodontitis requires extensive treatment. Your dentist may recommend surgery to prevent tooth loss. Flap surgery is common for this stage and involves cleaning the actual roots of your teeth by scrubbing behind your gums. Your dentist may also smooth or reshape your damaged bone to prevent bacteria from accumulating.

Why Do You Need Regular Dental Cleanings?

With twice-yearly dental exams and professional cleanings, you can prevent early-stage gum disease from advancing to the dangerous stages. During professional dental deep cleanings, our hygienists thoroughly remove the plaque and tartar above and below the gumline. By scaling and planning, they smooth areas to make it more difficult for bacteria to accumulate.

Why Oral Cancer Screenings Are Essential

During dental examinations at Priority Dental, Doctor Emery looks for signs of oral cancer. Oral cancers are cancers in the tongue, mouth, lips, jaw, and throat. Many individuals don’t realize the seriousness of oral cancer.

Consider this grave news from the Oral Cancer Foundation:

When found at early stages of development, oral cancers can have an 80 to 90% survival rate. Unfortunately at this time, the majority are found as late-stage cancers, and this accounts for the very high death rate of about 43% at five years from diagnosis

When your dentist performs an oral cancer screening during your dental examination, he/she will look for red or white spots, bleeding, lumps, difficulty swallowing, loose teeth, any color changes, and mouth sores. It is critical to tell your dentist if your bite has changed, if you have sores that won’t heal, and prolonged hoarseness. An earache in only one ear can also be an indicator.

Having any of these symptoms does not mean you have oral cancer, as they can be caused by other factors. However, if your dentist does something unusual, he/she may order additional tests or refer you to a medical doctor for further diagnosis and treatment if needed.

Schedule an Exam and Cleaning Today

We are devoted to preventative dentistry to keep your smile healthy and beautiful. If you are due for a cleaning, call us today to schedule.

Ask Us About Financing

If you don’t have dental insurance, ask us about dental financing options. Remember, it is far less costly to prevent dental problems than to treat them after they have become severe.

Contact Priority Dental:

307-333-6285

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

1224 E. 2nd St.
Casper, Wyoming
82601