Why a Healthy Mouth Is Important

Good oral hygiene results in a mouth that looks and smells healthy. This means your teeth are clean and free of debris, gums are pink and do not hurt or bleed when you brush or floss, and bad breath is not a constant problem. At Criscione Family Dental, our staff can help you learn good oral hygiene techniques and will point out areas of your mouth that may require extra attention while brushing and flossing.

Taking good care of your mouth – teeth and gums – does more than help ensure you have a bright, white, smile. The mouth is the doorway to our body and its first line of defense. It performs more essential functions than any other part of the body. Good oral hygiene and oral health can improve your overall health, reducing the risk of serious disease and perhaps even preserving your memory in your golden years. When your mouth is unhealthy, your body will feel the effects in many ways and your health in general, will suffer.

In between regular visits to the dentist, there are simple steps that each of us can take to greatly decrease the risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease and other dental problems. These include brushing thoroughly twice a day, flossing daily, eating a balanced diet and limiting snacks between meals, as well as using dental products that are approved by the American Dental Association (ADA).

If you need assistance with your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about dental hygiene as well as the services we provide, visit www.criscionefamilydental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Criscione Family Dentistry in Lake Oswego, OR, call 503-636-7601. 

The Proper Flossing Technique

 

Flossing is an essential part of taking care of your teeth and gums and chances are you are either not flossing, or not flossing enough. The American Dental Association recommends flossing at least once a day to help remove plaque from the areas between your teeth where the toothbrush can’t reach. At Criscione Family Dentistry we’ve heard every excuse in the book as to why our patients aren’t flossing and today we are going to put an end to them. Next time you stand in front of the mirror to brush your teeth, break out the floss and follow these tips. 

• Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty.

• Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.

• Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.

• When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a “C” shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.

• Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up-and-down motions. Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth and don’t forget the back ones! 

If you have questions about maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about dental hygiene as well as the services we provide, visit www.criscionefamilydental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Criscione Family Dentistry in Lake Oswego, OR, call 503-636-7601.

Flossing is an essential part of taking care of your teeth and gums and chances are you are either not flossing, or not flossing enough. The American Dental Association recommends flossing at least once a day to help remove plaque from the areas between your teeth where the toothbrush can’t reach. At Criscione Family Dentistry we’ve heard every excuse in the book as to why our patients aren’t flossing and today we are going to put an end to them. Next time you stand in front of the mirror to brush your teeth, break out the floss and follow these tips.

• Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty.


• Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.


• Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.


• When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a “C” shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.


• Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up-and-down motions. Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth and don’t forget the back ones!

If you have questions about maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about dental hygiene as well as the services we provide, visit www.criscionefamilydental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Criscione Family Dentistry in Lake Oswego, OR, call 503-636-7601.

 

Are You Brushing Correctly?

At Criscione Family Dentistry we want you to keep your permanent teeth for a lifetime. To do this, you need to brush at least twice a day for two minutes. Many of you may not realize that there is a proper brushing technique, so allow us to introduce you to the correct way to brush your teeth.

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.


• Gently move the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes.


• Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.


• To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.


• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh.

Remember that brushing your teeth isn’t the only part of a complete dental routine. Don’t forget to floss and visit us regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams.

If you have questions about maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about dental hygiene as well as the services we provide, visit www.criscionefamilydental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Criscione Family Dentistry in Lake Oswego, OR, call 503-636-7601.

Why a Healthy Mouth Is Important

Good oral hygiene results in a mouth that looks and smells healthy. This means your teeth are clean and free of debris, gums are pink and do not hurt or bleed when you brush or floss, and bad breath is not a constant problem. At Criscione Family Dental, our staff can help you learn good oral hygiene techniques and will point out areas of your mouth that may require extra attention while brushing and flossing.

Taking good care of your mouth – teeth and gums – does more than help ensure you have a bright, white, smile. The mouth is the doorway to our body and its first line of defense. It performs more essential functions than any other part of the body. Good oral hygiene and oral health can improve your overall health, reducing the risk of serious disease and perhaps even preserving your memory in your golden years. When your mouth is unhealthy, your body will feel the effects in many ways and your health in general, will suffer.

In between regular visits to the dentist, there are simple steps that each of us can take to greatly decrease the risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease and other dental problems. These include brushing thoroughly twice a day, flossing daily, eating a balanced diet and limiting snacks between meals, as well as using dental products that are approved by the American Dental Association (ADA).

If you need assistance with your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about dental hygiene as well as the services we provide, visit www.criscionefamilydental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Criscione Family Dentistry in Lake Oswego, OR, call 503-636-7601.