Daily flossing is extremely important and valuable, but only if the correct technique is used. Here is the most common mistake we see (picture on the left). The correct way to do it is on the right! Ask any of our staff to show you how.

What happened to this poor patient’s teeth? He brushed daily, but he did not just brush his teeth: he brushed away his teeth with his hard-bristle toothbrush! (Who still sells those things and why?!)

Instead, use a gentle circular motion with a soft-bristle brush angled 45 degrees toward the gums. Ask any of our staff to show you how.

This patient had nice teeth not long before these photos. However, she then abused methamphetamine for a period of time. Illicit substances can damage your teeth permanently like this!

This patient was kind enough to share her experience with us so that others may learn from it.

This extracted tooth shows evidence of longstanding root resorption. Detecting problems like this is one reason why routine X-rays are important.

Having routine X-rays could have prevented this tooth from being lost, because rotting out of the root is not always apparent except on basic X-ray imaging.

Another example shows why it is important to have routine dental care and not neglect simple things like cleaning! These teeth do not have any cavities at all. The root of these teeth accumulated so much tartar and pus, which have eaten away at the bone supporting the tooth.

A diseased tooth like this will fall out by itself over time. This could have been easily prevented by routine cleaning and check-ups.

Dentures must also be properly maintained. This patient came in with old dentures that were chipped (including missing teeth). More importantly, there was significant mold overgrowth.

Please don’t let dentures deteriorate to such poor shape. Check with us to ask how dentures should be cared for correctly.