Want a healthier smile? The answer is probably yes, and luckily, the steps to improving both your oral health and radiant smile are pretty simple. In fact, you’ve likely heard them from your dentist more than once: brush and floss at home twice a day every day, and schedule cleanings with a dental hygienist twice a year. But why are both of these recommendations so important? Dr. Mike Olsen of the Dental Clinic of Onalaska with locations in Onalaska and Trempealeau, AK, explains.

All day long, bacteria builds up on and between your teeth in the form of plaque. Brushing two times a day and flossing at least once a day are critical to cutting down on the plaque in your mouth. Left unchecked, plaque can wreak havoc on your oral health, causing everything from cavities to severe periodontal (or gum) disease. Simply put, brushing and flossing are two inexpensive and easy ways to keep your mouth health.

Brushing and flossing on a daily basis do an effective job of removing the plaque that builds up on your teeth, but you’ve also got tartar to think about, and you can’t remove that by yourself. Tartar is formed when plaque accumulates on your teeth and hardens, and the bacteria it contains can irritate your gum line and lead to gum disease, cavities and tooth decay. You’ll need the help (and tools) that only an oral health professional like a dental hygienist can provide to remove tartar. Those twice yearly dental cleanings are an important part of preventative dentistry that can help you avoid developing costly and painful dental problems down the roadAt the Dental Clinic of Onalaska, Dr. Mike Olsen and his team are committed to providing all of their patients with superior dental care in an environment that’s friendly and supportive. They offer a wide range of dental services to meet your oral health needs, including teeth whitening, dental cleanings, veneers, night guards, athletic mouth guards, and much more.

For a dental experience that will leave you smiling, schedule an appointment with the staff at the Dental Clinic of Onalaska. You can do so by visiting their website, or by calling (608) 783-3341 today.