Why Brushing and Flossing at Home Aren't Enough

Everyone knows regular brushing and flossing are essential for preventing cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues. In fact, combined with a healthy diet, these two activities are the best way to maintain your oral health at home in between your professional cleanings and checkups.

Richard Blackburn, DMD, MA, and the team at Volterra Dental are dedicated to helping every patient enjoy optimal oral health at every age. In this post, learn why brushing and flossing sometimes fall short of preventing oral health problems and what we can do to help.

The essential benefits of brushing and flossing

Regular brushing and flossing primarily aim to reduce the risks of some of the most common oral health problems — specifically, tooth decay and gum disease. Both of these problems are caused by bacteria normally found in your mouth. When populations of bacteria increase, your risks of these and other oral health problems increase, too. 

Regular brushing and flossing are intended to keep bacteria populations in check, primarily by getting rid of sticky plaque film that clings to the surfaces of your teeth. Plaque forms as a byproduct of eating and drinking, and it serves as both a food source and a harbor for decay- and disease-causing bacteria.

Both brushing and flossing help break up plaque film, removing it from tooth surfaces and along the gum line. They also help remove food particles that also provide nourishment for bacteria.

Essential, but not always enough

While routine brushing and flossing are essential for maintaining your oral health (and your overall wellness, too), they can’t prevent all types of oral health issues. That’s why twice-yearly checkups and professional cleanings are important, too.

Many oral health problems cause subtle symptoms in their initial stages — so slight you can’t detect them on your own. Regular checkups provide us with an opportunity to screen you for these problems — including gum disease, cavities, infections, and even oral cancer — so treatment can begin as soon as possible before the problem becomes more severe.

During your visits, we thoroughly evaluate your teeth, gums, palate, and even your bite mechanics. On some visits, we provide diagnostic imaging to see the “insides” of your teeth and jaws.

We also provide a very thorough cleaning, removing hard tartar deposits that can’t be eliminated with regular brushing and flossing. We focus on hard-to-reach areas between your teeth and at the very back of your mouth, near your jaw “hinges.” We can also gently clean the tooth surfaces just below your gums to ward off gum disease. And, of course, we finish with polishing using mild abrasives so your smile looks healthy and beautiful.

Professional cleanings tailored to your needs

Having regular dental checkups is one of the best things you can do for your oral and overall health, particularly as you age. To schedule your checkup and cleaning visit, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Blackburn and the team at Volterra Dental in Los Alamitos, California, today.