Dr. Steve Cobb: Your Odessa Family Dentist

As your family and preventive dentist, Dr. Steve W. Cobb wants to partner with you in maintaining your best dental and oral health. With this in mind, we’d like to offer our patients a few pointers on effective brushing and flossing. Everyone knows that your twice daily oral hygiene routine is essential, but that oral hygiene is only as effective as your technique.

First of all, what is good oral hygiene? Good oral hygiene consists of teeth that are clean and free of debris, gums that are pink and don’t bleed when you brush or floss, and breath that is pleasant rather than consistently bad. If your gums do bleed while brushing or flossing, or if you do have bad breath or a foul taste in your mouth, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Cobb. These may be indicators of a more serious condition, such as gum disease or infection.

Proper Brushing

Always use a soft-bristled brush when brushing your teeth. Hard bristles may scratch the enamel surface of your teeth. Hold the brush at a 45 degree angle against the gum line and brush in small circular motions. Be sure to brush the outside, inside, and biting surface of each tooth, using a short back-and-forth motion. Brushing the inside surface of your front teeth—both upper and lower—is especially important, as tartar tends to build up here. Finally, brush your tongue in order to remove bacteria and maintain fresh breath. Thoroughly brushing all of your teeth and your tongue should take at least two to three minutes every time you brush.

When brushing, Dr. Cobb recommends using a toothpaste that contains fluoride, a mineral proven to strengthen tooth enamel, so cavities are less likely to form.

Proper Flossing

Flossing is just as important as brushing your teeth. Doing so removes bacteria and food particles that may be trapped between your teeth. Use about 18 inches of floss and gently let your index fingers and thumbs guide the floss between teeth. Wrap the floss around each tooth and gently follow the curves of your teeth as you move the floss up and down. Flossing helps to remove sticky plaque that can accumulate between teeth and cause tooth decay or gum disease.

Call Our Office Today

In addition to good oral hygiene, regular checkups with Dr. Cobb are also important. Call the office at (432) 367-4774 to schedule an appointment. Our convenient Odessa, Texas, office welcomes patients from the entire West Texas area.