When you eat, tiny particles of food can get stuck between your teeth. This is true for your natural teeth as well as any dental implants you may have. Removing these bits of food is important to preserving your oral health because if food remains stuck in the mouth it will decay and increase the harmful effects of bacteria. Bacteria will exude damaging acid that breaks down the tooth’s tough outer enamel. In time, the tooth will begin to rot with cavity formation.

This is why flossing is so important. Flossing gets in between tight spaces where food can become lodged. When you have dental prosthetics in your mouth, it is equally important to keep these teeth clean and flossed too. Oral irrigation may be the right approach.

If you have dental implants or if you would like to learn more about the process of getting dental implants in San Diego, meeting with the San Diego dental implant specialist at McBride Dental can help.

How Do Oral Irrigators Work?

Dental irrigators like the popular Waterpik make it easy to remove buildup and food particles from the teeth. Oral irrigators can flush debris out from between and around each tooth. So if you have had dental work and use bridges, dentures, or have permanent dental implants in your mouth, a dental irrigator is a handy and healthful tool to have in your bathroom’s vanity.

Oral irrigators will typically have a reservoir that you can fill with water. An attachment with a flossing tip will be how you get the water to spray at your teeth. You can choose the pressure, or how intensely you want the water to flow. So, after you brush, you can use your oral irrigator to remove debris and plaque so your teeth and your gums stay as healthy as possible.

Oral irrigators work well for natural teeth, but can be highly effective and even recommended for people that have had oral work done, like dental implants.

With more than 3,000 different types of bacteria in the mouth, and a growth rate of 20 billion every single hour, keeping a handle on their population is necessary to maintaining good oral hygiene. If the bacterial population is not managed the acid that they secrete will degrade your teeth.

When you have a dental procedure or use dental prosthetics the San Marcos dentist at McBride Dental will explain to you the best hygiene practices for maintaining a healthy smile. This could include brushing and flossing with string floss or another device like an oral irrigator. Keeping your teeth as clean as possible and following up with regular appointments at least two times per year can help you preserve your oral health.

Make an Appointment with A San Diego Dentist Today

If you have an oral health question, need to make an appointment for an exam and professional cleaning, or if you would like to schedule an appointment for another dental procedure in San Diego, please call McBride Dental at (760) 471-1003. The professional and friendly team at McBride Dental can help you meet your dental objectives.