Dr. J. Craig Alexander explains that while brushing teeth should be second nature to most, some just aren’t brushing long enough or aren’t using the write brushing strokes.

Below are 8 tooth brushing tips that will help keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy.

1. The Right Equipment

The right toothbrush is essential for clean
teeth. When you choose your toothbrush, you want it to feel good in your hand
when you brush. You also want to buy a toothbrush that has a soft bristled
brush.

Bamboo handled toothbrushes are quite popular
at the moment with most coming with disposable heads that you swap out when the
bristles begin to fray. These are very eco-friendly and are great for teeth and
gums.

2. Keep It Clean

Be sure to give your toothbrush a good clean
before you put it back in your medicine cabinet or toothbrush holder. After you
rinse your toothbrush, place it upright in your cup or holder letting it try
out naturally. Never set it on the counter.

For a deeper clean, soak your toothbrush in
hydrogen peroxide mixed with water or in a cup filled with mouthwash.   

3. Use and Replace

Dr. Alexander recommends replacing your toothbrush every three months or so or when it starts to fray. It is also important to remember that bacteria will grow on your toothbrush regardless of how clean you keep it so swapping it out when it’s time is vital.

4. Don’t Be Over Aggressive

Some people tend to be over zealous when it
comes to brushing teeth. As previously mentioned, use a soft bristled brush and
be gentle on your teeth and gums.

5. The Rest of Your Mouth is Important Too

When you are brushing don’t forget your
tongue. Germs and bacteria love to collect on your tongue. Clean and brush the
insides of your teeth as well. While you and the rest of the world don’t see
some parts of your teeth, clean all of them both front and back.  

6. Don’t Brush Right Away

While it might be tempting to brush
immediately after eating, don’t do it. Your New York family dentist recommends
waiting about a half an hour before brushing your teeth.

7. Flossing and Rinsing

Flossing is a big part of oral hygiene and brushing teeth. Some like to floss before brushing while others prefer to do it after. Whatever you prefer just floss at least once each day. Flossing helps prevent gum disease and tooth decay.

8. Rinse Bacteria Away

Use a good antibacterial mouthwash after you brush and floss as this will help dislodge anything you may have missed.

Regular Dental Checkups

If you haven’t seen your East Greenbush dentist in some time, call, send a text or a direct message to a team member from Dr. Alexander’s dental office today.

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According to Dr. J. Craig Alexander, oral cancer screenings prevent cancer from getting worse.

April is National Oral Cancer Awareness
month. That means, like all other months, paying close attention to your teeth,
gums, tongue and throat could make a world of difference if you have been
diagnosed with oral cancer.

Early Detection Helps Oral Cancer Survival

Because oral cancer comes in stages the sooner, you catch it the better chance you have of treatment and survival. Your East Greenbush dentist explains that some patches, lesions, bumps, and lumps are not visible to the naked eye, but using special tests during a comprehensive dental examination can help.

More times than not, oral cancer has reached
an advanced stage making treatment more difficult and sometimes impossible.

Comprehensive Dental Exam

The best way to check for oral cancer is with
a comprehensive dental exam and an oral cancer screening. Your dentist in New
York will talk with you about your medical and dental history for a better
perspective on your oral and overall health.

After your conversation, your teeth and gums will be checked for decay and disease. Dr. Alexander and his team will also check your dental restorations making sure there are no chips, cracks, or leaks.

Oral Cancer Screening

An oral cancer screening means an overall
check of your mouth, throat, tongue, cheeks, neck, and head. Your dentist in East
Greenbush will thoroughly check everything using special diagnostic tools to
search for abnormal cell tissue.

During the screening, you are also checked
for any lesions, white or red patches or lumps and bumps. While you may not
notice any unusual growths, your dentist will.

If anything is detected, Dr. Alexander will take a biopsy, meaning a piece of the tissue in question, before sending it to a lab for further identification.

You Can Survive Oral Cancer

Oral cancer has an incredible survival rate
if it is caught before it spreads. Regular checkups with your doctor and your
dentist will keep you healthy and safe.

If you haven’t seen your dentist in New York for some time, or would just like to schedule a comprehensive dental exam and an oral cancer screening, call or send a text and set up an appointment with Dr. Alexander and his team in East Greenbush today.

People who have been diagnosed with oral cancer in stage one and two have a seventy to ninety percent survival rate and you can too with regular oral cancer screenings. Schedule yours today.

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Missing dental appointments is problematic, but if you were in the middle of an important dental procedure, your next checkup may more intrusive than you first thought. People who were waiting for a permanent crown or their dental implants to heal should schedule an appointment with Dr. J. Craig Alexander as quickly as possible.

Missing Dental Appointments

If you were waiting for a permanent crown, your temporary needs to go. Call and schedule an appointment with your dentist in East Greenbush. Temporary crowns are not as secure allowing food and debris to seep through over time. With that being said, toothaches and bleeding gums are an entirely different story.

People who have swollen, red, and bleeding gums are probably suffering from gingivitis. This type of gum disease is treatable. However, if your problems have progressed, you could be dealing with periodontal disease. Periodontitis is controllable but not curable and can recur without proper oral hygiene.

Other types of problems that occur with missing dental appointments include deeper cavities and problems under restorations.

The Problems with Old Restorations

Sadly, your old amalgam fillings may not be standing the test of time. During dental checkups, restorations are checked for cracks and leaks. If you have missed important dental appointments, there could be something hiding under and around your existing fillings.

Your East Greenbush dentist will check for decay under and around fillings using special tools, as x-rays often hide decay. It may seem strange, but tooth decay can recur in the same tooth under or around a filling.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Whether you missed appointments or haven’t seen the dentist since February, it’s time to schedule a dental checkup. A healthy mouth means a healthy body.

Call and schedule your dental checkup today.

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