Floss to Prevent Plaque in Parker, CO

Flossing is one of the most essential parts of oral hygiene. It needs to be done everyday, and preferably before food debris has had much time to fuel the growth of oral bacteria. But it’s not enough to just rub floss in between the teeth. At Ardas Family Dental in Parker, we provide comprehensive dental care to people of all ages, and as part of our preventive care efforts, we want to ensure our patients are flossing correctly.

The first step of proper flossing is to use a long enough strand. We recommend using fifteen inches, so that each end of the floss can be wrapped around the user’s middle fingers. The user can manipulate the floss using their index fingers and thumbs, and as they move from tooth to tooth, they can unspool the strand from one middle finger and wrap it around the other. This will prevent them from transferring food debris between teeth.

Flossing is meant to remove plaque from the teeth as well as food debris, so it’s necessary to rub the floss against the side of each tooth, and not just to clear space between them. Users should bend the strand into a c-shape and rub it along the tooth and slightly into the gingival margin. They shouldn’t go deep enough for this to be painful or cause bleeding, but they should be thorough. They’ll also need to get the backs of the back teeth. A person may experience some irritation if they already have a mild gum infection, but we can provide flossing during a regular deep cleaning and offer an in-person demonstration of proper technique for people who are still struggling.

Dr. Roopi Kattaura operates Ardas Family Dental at 10233 S Parker Rd, Suite 205, Parker, Colorado. Call 720-459-8420 or visit Ardas Family Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

Hygiene During Orthodontic Treatment

Oral hygiene is already important when it comes to a healthy mouth, but it’s even more important when the mouth is going through orthodontic treatment. There are more nooks and crannies when brackets are placed on the teeth, wherein food is trapped and turned into plaque. Dr. Roopi Kattaura at Ardas Family Dental in Parker, CO, takes pride in educating patients with braces about the importance of an at-home oral hygiene regimen. 

Patients with braces are at an increased risk for early stages of tooth decay and gingivitis if proper oral hygiene isn’t used. Dr. Kattaura recommends brushing your teeth with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, as well as flossing, two to three times a day. You should be brushing in and around each bracket and wire, brushing in a circular motion where the gums and teeth meet, and brushing in a back and forth motion on the tops of molars.

Other things to consider during orthodontic treatment:

- Pay attention to what you eat and drink. Sugary foods and drinks erode enamel and make the teeth more susceptible to tooth decay, especially if you aren’t brushing properly or regularly.

- Certain foods can loosen, break, or bend wires. To limit stress on your braces, avoid eating hard or sticky foods.

Do you have a question or concern? We are happy to help! Ardas Family Dental is located at 10233 S Parker Rd, Suite 205, in Parker, CO 80134. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit ardasfamilydental.com or call the office at 720-459-8420.

 

Gum Abscess Treatment at Ardas Family Dental

Although many people suffer from bleeding gums, they’re not something you should think of as normal. Bleeding, redness, and soreness are all potential signs of gum disease. We’ve helped a lot of people with their oral hygiene at Ardas Family Dental in Parker, but it’s much easier to eliminate gum disease when it’s caught early. Otherwise, a patient may form a gum abscess.

Pus is a liquid made up of dead tissue, bacteria, and bacterial waste. An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms as a result of an infection. Gingival abscesses are those near the gum line. If a gum infection is allowed to grow, the walls of a gum pocket surrounding a tooth may become loose and form a pocket. A periodontal abscess is an abscess that forms within the infected gum pocket, and in addition to causing pain and a bad smell, it could also cause the patient to develop a fever and have difficulty working their jaw.

If the gums are badly infected, a patient should be prepared for the possibility that their dental pulp is, too. Regardless of whether we do a root canal to remove infected pulp, we’ll need to drain the pus out of the gum abscess. After removing infected gum tissue, we may do a process called planing to the tooth root, in which we smooth it. This will deprive bacteria of crevices to hide in, making it easier for hygienists to do deep cleanings on in the future.

Dr. Roopi Kattaura operates Ardas Family Dental at 10233 S Parker Rd, Suite 205, Parker, Colorado. Call 720-459-8420 or visit Ardas Family Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

Flossing with Braces

Flossing may seem difficult when you have braces, but it doesn’t have to be! The only difference is that flossing is even more important. Your braces give bacteria new places to form. Because of their design, food is much more likely to become snagged. Dr. Kattaura has a solution: this brief guide for flossing with braces! At Ardas Family Dental, we want the best for our patients. Learn how to keep your mouth healthy and happy! Contact our office in Parker, CO, with any questions.

 

It’s necessary to brush and floss daily. Your braces shouldn’t change this. When you have braces, it’s necessary to invest in a Floss Threader. This is a handheld dental appliance that moves the floss under the wire. From there, grab the floss and use it as normal. Floss each of your teeth. Another option is Floss Picks. These are small two-pronged devices. Floss is strung between the two prongs, letting you clean without interference. Carefully place the appliance between your two teeth to floss with it.

 

Proper flossing also makes a difference. Once you manage to get the floss in place, wrap it around one of the two teeth in a “C” shape. Move the floss up and down, rubbing the gums. Be gentle yet thorough when cleaning around your braces.

 

Don’t forget that you can still develop cavities with braces. Debris that gets stuck in your braces attracts bacteria. Always do a good job of brushing and flossing.

 

Ardas Family Dental is located in Parker, CO. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kattaura, visit her website or call 720-459-8420.

Proper Flossing Technique

Flossing is often thought of as an optional dental practice. Dr. Kattaura of Ardas Family Dental argues otherwise. Many of our patients in Parker, CO, don’t understand that flossing is just as important as brushing. Not only are many patients not flossing, but they aren’t doing it properly either. That’s why we have provided this easy flossing guide.

 

It’s obvious to your Parker dental staff when you’re not flossing daily. The proper flossing technique makes a huge difference in your teeth. Start off by taking out about 18 inches of floss. Twirl one end around each of your middle fingers. One will twirl out the dirty floss, while the other rotates in clean floss. Next, move the floss between your teeth. Create a “C” shape around one of the two teeth. Clean the gap in an up and down motion. Do this for all of your teeth.

 

Flossing is necessary for having a clean mouth. Your toothbrush can’t reach every area. Flossing removes debris and food particles lodged in tough spots. Left between your teeth, they attract cavity-causing bacteria.

 

Dr. Kattaura has a few tips for patients struggling to floss. Different types and thicknesses of floss are available. If you can’t get reach tight gaps, a thinner floss will do the trick. Certain materials also make flossing easier. There are handheld flossing devices available in most stores. These are easily maneuverable and simple. Waterpiks are another option for flossing.

 

For more flossing and dental advice, contact Ardas Family Dental. We are located in Parker, CO. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kattaura, visit our website or call 720-459-8420.

National Dental Hygiene Month Observance in Parker, CO

Everyone knows that brushing and flossing are essential, but could your technique use work? October is National Dental Hygiene Month. In honor of it, we at Ardas Family Dental in Parker want to remind our patients of the basics of good oral care.

While people can get good results from electric or manual toothbrushes, a manual toothbrush is only safe if it has soft bristles. Smaller electric toothbrush heads can be used on difficult-to-reach places. Brushing should be done twice a day, in two-minute sessions if using a manual toothbrush. The user should move the brush in horizontal ovals while brushing the outward-facing sides of their teeth and should make vertical strokes on the inward-facing sides. It is important to remember to brush near the gum line; that’s where plaque tends to accumulate. Parents should start brushing their babies’ teeth as soon as the first one erupts.

There are lots of American Dental Association-approved products for cleaning between the teeth. People should never attempt to pick their teeth with improvised devices. When using traditional floss, pull it along the side of each tooth, not just down the gap between them. Remember to floss the backs of your back teeth. You can improve your breath using mouthwash, but daily use of a tongue scraper is also a reliable way of cleaning out bacteria.

Dr. Roopi Kattaura operates Ardas Family Dental at 10233 S Parker Rd, Suite 205, Parker, Colorado. Call 720-459-8420 or visit Ardas Family Dental and fill out a contact sheet.