The recommendation given by The American Dental Association (ADA) and by Dr. Matthew Willis at Creedmoor Family Dentistry is to clean between your teeth at least every day.  Flossing daily may reduce your risk of cavities and gum disease.  ​The American Dental Association recommends cleaning between your teeth daily with an inter-dental cleaner (like floss). 

An alternative to floss may be the Waterpik Water Flosser, which has been approved by the ADA.  The Waterpik Water Flosser shoots a stream of water that is safe but strong enough to remove plaque and food between your teeth.   You can read more here:  https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/w/water-flossers   Happy Flossing!

How often do you visit the dentist and hear words you don't understand? Here are a few words you might hear in the dental office. While we try to explain in terms that everyone understands, you can show off your smarts next time you see your dentist by reading below.  

PROPHYLAXIS: The dictionary definition of this is "action taken to prevent disease, especially by specified means or against a specified disease."  If you visit our office and receive a prophylaxis, you have have received a cleaning for a healthy mouth.  And as the word definition shows, six month prophylaxis cleanings are very important for preventing periodontal disease.  

GINGIVITIS:  Inflammation of the gums that is an early stage of periodontal disease characterized by red or swollen gums. 

SCALING AND ROOT PLANING:  Sometimes called a "deep cleaning or a perio cleaning."  Scaling and root planing is a cleaning procedure in which a patient will receive a deep cleaning of the teeth with the goal of slowing the progression of periodontal disease and gingivitis. 

BITEWINGS:  It may sound like a fancy kite or a something a kid would use to decorate a bike, but bitewings in a dental office are the x-rays that capture images of multiple teeth.  

At Creedmoor Family Dentistry, we love to educate our patients, so feel free to ask about any terms you have an interest in understanding or knowing more about.    
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