Some people will never go to the dentist’s office unless they feel pain. After all, they reason, why should they go through the effort if there’s nothing wrong with their teeth? This is a very unfortunate attitude, one which puts you at serious risk of debilitating dental problems.

The fact is that, when it comes to tooth decay, you’re most likely not going to feel any pain until your cavity has penetrated all the way to the soft pulp at the center of the tooth. Once this happens, you’re past the point where you can benefit from a simple filling and will need a full root canal.

Indeed, if you need a filling, the only way to know for sure is to have a dental x-ray. This is why it is so important to go in for a dental checkup every six months. Don’t make the mistake of assuming that your teeth are healthy just because you don’t feel pain, and always keep your routine appointments with our dentist in Auburn.

Are your teeth sensitive? There are many potential causes for this, some of which are more of a cause for concern than others. For some people, this is a sign of tooth decay or receding gums, and they may need to improve on their oral hygiene. For others, it’s a result of oral hygiene that may actually be a little too harsh.

Indeed, it’s entirely possible to go a little overboard with your dental care. Your teeth may become sensitive as the result of an antibacterial mouthwash or a tooth whitener. If you brush your teeth too much, you may be rubbing your gums away and causing them to become sensitive. Occasionally, you may experience some short-term tooth sensitivity after your regular dentist visit. In many cases, your sensitivity will not actually be indicative of a problem, and will pass without consequence after you stop using a certain product.

It can be difficult to identify the specific problem behind your tooth sensitivity. To learn more, consult our dentist in Auburn.

If you’re brushing your teeth right, you should be doing it at least seven hundred thirty times every year. What this means is that, even if you’re making just one tiny mistake in your routine, this mistake is going to gradually come through as a noticeable problem. To avoid such problems, be sure you are mindful of all of the following:

• When you floss, do so before brushing.
• Brush twice a day, once before breakfast and once before going to bed.
• Brush for two minutes at a time.
• Avoid brushing within about thirty minutes after eating. You need to wait for your tooth enamel to recover from the acids produces while you eat.
• Brush with your brush held at a forty-five degree angle to your teeth, moving in a circular motion so as to gently massage your gums.
• Use a tongue scraper to clean your tongue.
• If you use mouthwash, do so after brushing.

Talk to our Auburn dentist to learn more about practicing proper oral hygiene in your daily life.