Brush Your Teeth the Right Way

 

Brushing your teeth is not just for a whiter smile and fresher breath, it’s important for your overall health. When you brush, you remove plaque – the thin film of bacteria that sticks to your teeth and will cause cavities, gum disease, and if you ignore it long enough, it will cause your teeth to rot and fall out. Everyone knows why they have to brush their teeth, but here at Cadena Dentistry we want you to know how to properly brush them. 

Brushing your teeth is an important part of your dental care routine and it takes at least two minutes. To get a feel for the time involved, try using a stopwatch. That way you can physically monitor your time. To properly brush your teeth, use short, gentle strokes, paying extra attention to the gum line, hard-to-reach back teeth and areas around fillings, crowns, or other dental restorations. The proper brushing technique includes: placing your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to the gums, gently moving the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes and brushing your tongue to remove bacteria that causes bad breath. 

If you need assistance with your dental routine or you need to schedule a checkup, give us a call today! To learn more about our services provided at Cadena Dentistry visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322Brushing your teeth is not just for a whiter smile and fresher breath, it’s important for your overall health. When you brush, you remove plaque – the thin film of bacteria that sticks to your teeth and will cause cavities, gum disease, and if you ignore it long enough, it will cause your teeth to rot and fall out. Everyone knows why they have to brush their teeth, but here at Cadena Dentistry we want you to know how to properly brush them.

Brushing your teeth is an important part of your dental care routine and it takes at least two minutes. To get a feel for the time involved, try using a stopwatch. That way you can physically monitor your time. To properly brush your teeth, use short, gentle strokes, paying extra attention to the gum line, hard-to-reach back teeth and areas around fillings, crowns, or other dental restorations. The proper brushing technique includes: placing your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to the gums, gently moving the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes and brushing your tongue to remove bacteria that causes bad breath.

 

If you need assistance with your dental routine or you need to schedule a checkup, give us a call today! To learn more about our services provided at Cadena Dentistry visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.

 

Dental Implants vs. Bridges

If you are an adult that lost a tooth, you can replace it with a dental implant or a bridge. Bridges require sound teeth on either side of the missing tooth or teeth for placement; this isn’t necessary in the case of dental implants. Depending on the severity of your individual case, here at Cadena Dentistry we can provide you with both options and restore your smile to its fullest potential.

The first thing you notice about a dental implant is how closely it resembles your natural tooth. It replaces the entire missing tooth, including the root, without having to grind the adjacent teeth. Dental implants may be less noticeable and provide a more natural appearance, and provide more efficient chewing than bridges, which may slip. A bridge is a frame on which two crowns and a false tooth are attached. The bridge covers the prepared teeth that are left after grinding. The false tooth then sits in the missing tooth’s space above the gum. Since it does not replace the root of the missing tooth, it’s possible that bone loss can occur. Bridges can be less expensive than dental implants in the long run, however the life span of a bridge is less than that of an implant.

If you need to replace a missing tooth, give us a call today to discuss your options. To learn more about dental implants, bridges and other services we offer here at Cadena Dentistry visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.

What is Oral Pathology?

Pathology can be defined as the scientific study of the nature of disease and its causes, processes, development, and consequences. Oral pathology is the specialty that identifies and treats diseases of the mouth and maxillofacial region. Some of the diseases that our doctors at Cadena Dentistry diagnose include mouth and throat cancer, mumps, salivary gland disorders, ulcers, and more.  

When an abnormality is discovered either by the patient, dentist or other healthcare provider, a referral is often made to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Diagnosis is completed through radiographic, microscopic, biochemical and other in office examinations. Because the mouth is readily accessible, changes indicative of oral cancer or a pathological process can easily be detected in the early stages. Pain is not always necessary to define pathology and is not often associated with oral cancer. However, any patient with facial and/or oral pain without an obvious cause or reason may also be at risk for oral cancer.

If you are concerned about oral cancer, give us a call to discuss your options. To learn more about oral pathology and other services we offer here at Cadena Dentistry visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.

How to Floss Correctly

Proper flossing removes plaque and food particles in places where a toothbrush cannot easily reach – under the gum line between your teeth. Because plaque build-up can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, daily flossing is highly recommended. Here at Cadena Dentistry, you’ll receive floss in your dental goodie bag after every checkup, so utilize it by following these simple steps.

To receive maximum benefits from flossing, use the following proper technique. Starting with about 18 inches of floss, wind most of the floss around each middle finger, leaving an inch or two of floss to work with. Holding the floss between your thumbs and index fingers, slide it gently up-and-down between your teeth. Gently curve the floss around the base of each tooth, making sure you go beneath the gum line. Never snap or force the floss, as this may cut or bruise delicate gum tissue. Last but not least, make sure you use clean sections of floss as you move from tooth to tooth. To remove the floss, use the same back-and-forth motion to bring the floss up and away from the teeth.

If you need assistance with your dental routine or you need to schedule a checkup, give us a call today! To learn more about our services provided at Cadena Dentistry visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.