Common Flossing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

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Flossing daily can mean the difference between good oral health and ongoing dental issues. Your dentist in Jacksonville, FL, has probably recommended that you floss daily on many occasions. But did you know that flossing can actually be harmful if you don’t do it right?

Common Flossing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Here are the most common flossing mistakes and what you can do to avoid making them.

Flossing at the Wrong Time

Most dentists in Jacksonville, FL, recommend floss before brushing your teeth at night before you go to bed. Your saliva production decreases while you sleep, leaving your mouth more prone to bacterial growth. So flossing at night before you go to bed is extremely important to your overall dental health.

Flossing Too Deep

If you floss your teeth too aggressively to where the floss gets down into your gums, it will damage them, which could lead to other dental issues. So always floss gently and schedule routine teeth cleaning in Jacksonville, FL.

Flossing After Brushing

You should always floss before brushing your teeth. Flossing loosens up the food and plaque between your teeth and brushing your teeth brushes that debris away.

Not Flossing Your Whole Tooth

Many people don’t realize that you have to floss both sides of each tooth. If you don’t floss both sides of each tooth, you probably aren’t benefit from flossing.

Stopping Flossing If Your Gums Bleed

It’s common to see a little blood when you floss, especially if you’ve flossed too aggressively. It’s also a sign that you need to floss more regularly. However, if the bleeding continues, you might want to make a dental appointment for a diagnosis.

Do You Need a Dentist in Jacksonville, FL?

If you need a dentist in Jacksonville, FL, or any of the surrounding areas, please Contact Mandarin Dentistry today. We provide a warm, comfortable, relaxing environment. And we promise to treat you with all the care and respect you deserve.

Could You Have Gum Disease?

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Did you know 46 percent of adults over the age of 30 have some form of gum disease? That’s a big number that comes directly from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Gum disease is a painful, inflammatory condition that can cause you to lose your teeth, but the good news is it’s totally preventable. With regular dental checkups and a good oral hygiene regimen at home, you can avoid the problems associated with gum disease. However, noticing signs and symptoms that point to something wrong with your teeth or gums could be an early sign of gingivitis. Your dentist in Jacksonville, FL, can tell you more.

Symptoms of Mild Gum Disease

The more mild form of gum disease is called gingivitis. At this stage, you may notice symptoms that include:

  • Blood when you brush or floss
  • Gums that are discolored, puffy, or swollen
  • Tender or painful gums
  • Chronic bad breath
  • Gums that appear to recede from teeth

At this stage, regular visits to your dentist and adherence to a strict brushing and flossing routine at home can cure the condition. Your dentist will clean your teeth thoroughly, paying special attention to plaque and tarter deposits. They may also recommend an anti-bacterial mouth rinse for use at home.

Symptoms of Severe Gum Disease

Periodontitis is a more severe stage of gum disease. This can develop when gingivitis is not treated. At this stage, the disease becomes much more noticeable as well as painful, and dental attention is required. Symptoms of periodontitis include:

  • Formation of pus between teeth and gums
  • Loose teeth
  • Teeth that fall out
  • Blackened areas of gum tissue
  • Open bite

Treatment for periodontitis may include scaling, root planing, and oral antibiotics. In more severe cases, surgery may be required to stop periodontitis from advancing. You may also require restorative dentistry afterward to repair or replace damaged or missing teeth.

Help for Gum Disease in Jacksonville, FL

Your first line of defense against gum disease is to adopt a healthy oral hygiene routine at home. Second, you’ll want to become established with a reputable dentist. For help with gum disease in Jacksonville, FL, call Mandarin Dentistry today.

Sources

https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/fast-facts/gum-disease/index.html

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gingivitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354459

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/periodontitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354473

General Dentist

Porcelain Veneer FAQ: What You Need to Know

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Do you dislike the way your teeth look? Dental veneers could be the solution to your problem. These popular dental tools are used to cover up cosmetic defects like stains, discolorations, chips and cracks. As your dentist in Jacksonville, FL, the professionals at Mandarin Dentistry offer dental veneers for patients who want to love their smile again. Here’s what to know about dental veneers.

What are porcelain veneers?

A porcelain veneer is a thin cover placed over the front of the tooth to cover the natural tooth enamel. Porcelain veneers are designed to hide any stains, chips, cracks and other cosmetic defects affecting your teeth. Porcelain veneers are cosmetic in nature; they are not structural.

Who is a good candidate for porcelain veneers?

You’re a good candidate for porcelain veneers if your teeth are healthy and structurally sound, and you have good oral hygiene habits. If your teeth have structural damage or need reinforcement that goes beyond a veneer, then your dentist may recommend a dental crown for you.

How are dental veneers maintained?

Dental veneers are maintained much like your natural teeth. Brush your dental veneers twice daily with non-abrasive toothpaste. Do not chew on non-food items (such as ice or pen caps) with dental veneers, as this can cause your dental veneers to chip.

Are porcelain veneers permanent?

To install a veneer, the front of the tooth is shaved down to make room for the veneer. Once this is done, it cannot be undone. Therefore, porcelain veneers are permanent. Veneers last as long as 10 or 15 years, but once a veneer is worn down, it will need to be replaced.

Do dental veneers look natural?

Your dentist will choose veneers that are colored like your natural teeth. Once a dental veneer is installed, you should not be able to tell the difference between a veneer and your natural teeth.

For more information about dental veneers in Jacksonville FL, make an appointment at Mandarin Dentistry. We’ll be happy to answer your questions about veneers and help you decide if this type of dental tool is right for you.