Dental Hygiene and Cleanings

The cornerstone of healthy teeth and gums is maintaining good dental hygiene. This means more than just brushing your teeth—at Martin Taylor Dentistry in Tucson, AZ, we partner with our patients to help them understand how to most effectively take care of their teeth on a daily basis and offer gentle yet thorough professional cleanings to keep our patients’ teeth and gums healthy.

Taking care of your teeth at home

There are several steps you can take daily to keep your mouth sparkling and healthy. Our tips for taking good care of your teeth and gums at home include:

• Brushing teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush after every meal, or at least two times per day; we can teach you the best technique to use while you brush to achieve the cleanest teeth possible
• Cleaning between your teeth with dental floss or other interdental cleaners at least one time per day, which is essential for removing debris, bacteria, and plaque in those hard-to-reach places between the teeth
• Using antibacterial mouthwashes to help eliminate any remaining bacteria and debris after brushing and flossing
• Eating a healthy diet rich in crunchy fruits and vegetables, which help clean your teeth as you eat, instead of sugary and starchy foods and beverages like candy, soda, and breads

Routine dental hygiene visits

No matter how well you take care of your teeth each day, every patient needs to see a dentist regularly for a professional deep cleaning. Teeth accumulate plaque, which over time, turns into a hardened substance called tartar that cannot be removed at home with brushing and flossing alone. At a professional cleaning, we remove this disease-causing tartar and plaque, polish your teeth for a pearly white shine, and perform a thorough check-up to identify any potential issues with your oral health before they have a chance to progress into something more serious. With good care at home and regular check-ups and cleanings at Martin Taylor Dentistry, many patients can avoid tooth decay, prevent gum disease, and avoid costly dental restorations and extra time in the dental chair. To schedule your appointment, call our Tucson, AZ office today at (520) 600-6925!