Are floss picks as good as regular floss? While it’s better to floss with a floss pick than to not floss at all, it’s important to note that floss picks can only clean a part of the tooth’s surface. At The Yuma Dentist in Yuma AZ, we recommend traditional floss or tape. Here’s why:

A floss pick holds just a small piece of floss stretched in a straight line. But teeth are rounded, with occasional irregularities. A straight segment of floss just won’t conform to the contours of the tooth as well as traditional, string floss.

By wrapping string floss completely around a tooth, you can clean off plaque far more effectively. We have seen patients who are dutiful floss pick users who developed decay due to a small crack the floss pick missed day after day.

Flossing, The Right Way

Here is a guide to proper flossing:

• Cut a segment of floss about 18 inches long and securely wind each end around your middle fingers.
• Take hold of the floss with your forefinger and thumb leaving about two inches to work with. Thread the floss between two teeth.
• Hold the floss tightly against the side of the tooth and move it up and away from the gumline. You want to clean the space between the tooth and gum without pulling more gum tissue away, so it’s critical to scrape up and out of the pocket.
• Move the floss around the tooth to clean every surface—especially those that your brush can’t reach. You can use a “shoeshine” method if you like. With 18 inches, you should have enough to furnish a clean segment for each tooth.
• Some people find it simpler to start on one end of the upper teeth and clean each gap one by one until they reach the end on the opposite side, and then repeat for the lower arch.

If you don’t usually floss, your gums might bleed the first few times. The bleeding may be due to gum inflammation, the beginnings of gum disease. Keep flossing gently and the bleeding typically stops within a week or two.

At The Yuma Dentist in Yuma AZ, we want all our patients to enjoy excellent dental health. That means daily flossing and brushing, and a checkup in our office every six months. We offer general and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule your next appointment today!

Contact The Yuma Dentist:

928-783-0804

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

1630 S Pacific Ave Ste 104
Yuma, AZ
85365

At The Yuma Dentist, one of the most common complaints we hear from patients is problems with mouth sores.

There are many different kinds of oral lesions which can make eating and talking painful. Some are annoying yet harmless, while other sores are more serious and require medical intervention.

Though not contagious, the most common complaint is canker sores, which affect an estimated eighty percent of the Foothills population. Canker sores can be attributed to stress, tissue irritation, or acidic foods.

Dr. Mann can prescribe a topical dental paste to relieve pain and guard against infection. Recurring canker sores can sometimes be a symptom of a larger health problem.

Another common complaint is fever blisters or cold sores, which are contagious fluid-filled blisters. Yuma cold sore sufferers should be aware that they can become infected. At The Yuma Dentist, we advise our patients on how to treat cold sores and avoid further breakouts.

At The Yuma Dentist in Yuma AZ we offer complete general dentistry services, along with restorative dentistry and much more. Call for an appointment today!

Contact The Yuma Dentist:

928-783-0804

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

1630 S Pacific Ave Ste 104
Yuma, AZ
85365

At The Yuma Dentist in Yuma AZ we are big advocates of good dental health, and really promote regular brushing and flossing. Since we’re a dental practice that should come as no surprise.

Many of our patients bring questions with them to their checkups, like which toothpaste to use or proper tools and techniques. We think that’s great, since we are all about educating our patients. Some of our answers are as easy as 1-2-3.

1 Soft Bristle Toothbrush

We strongly recommend gentle brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush. It will clean your teeth and massage your gums. There is never a good reason to use hard or medium bristle toothbrushes.

2 Minutes of Brushing and Flossing

Visualize your mouth in four sections and spend a good 30 seconds in each one. Get the chewing surfaces, the inside surfaces, the outside surfaces and gently brush the gums. Be sure to pay attention to the far side of the back tooth. It’s never visible but can collect food and allow tooth decay to begin.

Take two minutes to floss after brushing in the evening. You’ll remove any debris the toothbrush couldn’t get.

3 Times a Day

Brushing after every meal should remain the goal. This is difficult if you aren’t home for the midday meal. To maintain good dental hygiene, brushing is priority one.

There are as many toothpaste choices out there as you have teeth. Choose the flavor you like best, but be sure it has fluoride and carries the American Dental Association seal.

At The Yuma Dentist in Yuma AZ, the dental health of each of our patients is always our top priority. Services include general and restorative dentistry. We also have an office in Fortuna Foothills. Call for your next checkup today!

Contact The Yuma Dentist:

928-783-0804

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

1630 S Pacific Ave Ste 104
Yuma, AZ
85365

There are three dental health issues that affect as many as a third of all Americans. At The Yuma Dentist in Yuma AZ, we want all of our patients to have healthy teeth and gums. If any of these common issues affect you, tell us. We can help.

The problems were identified by the Health Policy Institute, which is part of the American Dental Association. In a survey of fifteen thousand people from all walks of life, they asked about problems with teeth and gums.

The top three answers were:

• Tooth pain
• Difficulty with chewing
• Dry mouth

Tooth Pain. When a tooth hurts, it’s a clear sign that something is wrong. The most likely cause of tooth pain is a cavity, but it’s not the only one. It could also be a sign of gum disease, which is one of the leading causes of tooth loss.

Difficulty With Chewing. This too may indicate a cavity, but again, there could be other problems. There may be enamel erosion, a cracked tooth, or recessed gums. It can be serious, because certain foods may be difficult. If you avoid them you could be missing out on important nutrients that your body needs.

Dry Mouth. This, in fact, was the most common issue cited in the survey. It isn’t just a matter of being thirsty all the time. Chronic dry mouth can indicate poor saliva flow. This, in turn, can indicate a systemic condition. Dry mouth is a common side effect from some prescription medications. Poor saliva flow makes you more vulnerable to tooth decay and gum disease.

If you’re experiencing any of these issues, call us at The Yuma Dentist in Yuma AZ right away to schedule an appointment and we’ll see what’s going on. We offer general dentistry services, and specialties like dental implants. We have a second office in Fortuna Foothills. Schedule your next cleaning and checkup with us today!

Contact The Yuma Dentist:

928-783-0804

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

1630 S Pacific Ave Ste 104
Yuma, AZ
85365