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How To Keep Your Teeth Healthy By Maintaining A Regular Home Dental Hygiene Routine

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How To Keep Your Teeth Healthy By Maintaining A Regular Home Dental Hygiene Routine


Dentist Los Angeles home dental care guideShiny teeth are a part of your delicate facial appearance; it supports your sparkling smile substantially. That is why Dr. Shervin Louie emphasizes greatly on a good oral hygiene regimen! Also, poor oral hygiene can lead you to a number of dental and medical glitches in the future that include different stages of gum diseases, gum infection, bone loss, heart disease, strokes, and even some other head & neck-related conditions. Regular dental checkups and cleanings can prevent most of these problems at an early stage and offer you good oral hygiene as well.

In the lines below is a list of some Dental hygiene steps that our Los Angeles Dentist recommends to promote excellent oral hygiene.


Steps To Ensure Complete Dental Hygiene

Appropriate Brushing

Brushing is amongst one of the top home-based measures to help your teeth remain clean. The correct positioning of the toothbrush is imperative to acquire the right clean! Position the toothbrush with its bristles set at an angle of 45 degrees to your gum line. Bristles should directly contact the gum line and the tooth surface for proper cleaning, while brush movement should be back-and-forth, up-and-down! Always apply soft brushing pressure as hard or rough brushing may cause gum bleeding. Utilize brushing to clean the inner part of your teeth in a similar manner, as well. Finally, brush the tongue surfaces and the upper portion of your mouth to eliminate bacterial manifestation – it works to save you from bad breath issues.

Always brush twice a day. We recommend after breakfast and dinner to prevent oral acid buildup – the principal cause of bacterial buildup. However, for one reason or another if you are unable to manage twice a day cleaning regimen, use tap water to rinse your teeth after every intake. This will help minimize the food particles from staying in your mouth and triggering bacterial growth.


Regular Flossing!

Dr. Shervin Louie says, understandably, daily flossing looks bothersome and time-consuming! However, without a doubt, your little consistent efforts save you from lots of oral issues long term. It helps remove food particles that brushing cannot! It works to eliminate food particles between your teeth effortlessly. Once a day regular flossing is highly recommended.


Clean Your Tongue

Clean your tongue daily, by applying a specialized tongue cleaner! You can eradicate many bacteria that otherwise cannot be cleared. This bacterial manifestation can contribute to bad breath and trigger other dental health issues as well.


Quit Smoking

This step alone helps in two ways says this Dentist in Los Angeles.” One is to keep your teeth and gums clean from getting stained. A big plus is that it diminishes the chances of triggering oral cancer and other periodontal problems. Secondly, it can save you from the bad smell of tobacco. you may have noticed that smokers take a candy or bubble to overcome the tobacco smell before attending any meeting.


Quit Dark Beverages and Alcohol

The coffee, soda, alcohol and sugar intake may give you some personal satisfaction and sure – some of them may offer you essential minerals like phosphorus too that help improve your oral hygiene – but there is no doubt that they help stained your teeth. This is the big dental issue that affects your appearance. Stained teeth may force you to face some social or professional issues as well. Essences such as food dyes and corn syrup can make the appearance of your teeth dull and discolored. Thus, it is time for healthy drinking! Better to choose milk instead. It can fortify your teeth, shapes stouter enamel, support your healthy and beautiful smile. You can also replace your liquid intake amounts with water to hydrate your body extensively compare to those sugary drinks.


The Calcium and Vitamin Intakes Work

Calcium offers added support to your teeth and bones! Nothing can replace it for sure. Milk, yogurt, fortified orange juice, cheese, and other dairy products including green leafy veggies such as broccoli, all can improve your calcium intake. In the case of severe deficiency, our Los Angeles Dentist recommends calcium supplements to meet the required daily calcium. Calcium along with Vitamin D better maintain gum and teeth health. Vitamin B complex on the other hand also offers the protection to gums and teeth from cracking and bleeding. Also, zinc, copper, iodine, potassium and iron works to maintain healthy dental hygiene.


Mouthwash

For those who does not want to compromise on their oral health, toothpaste can help eliminate bacteria from your mouth. Using mouthwash works to kill the harmful bacteria while reducing bad breath too. Listerine even gives a boost to your teeth as well. Following a recommended regular oral hygiene schedule, while eating well in addition to using mouthwash certainly can work magic for you.


Seeing the Dentist Regularly

It is imperative to visit your dentist twice a year to manage your good oral hygiene! It will not only help better maintain your oral health, but it also helps early detect any head & neck related medical conditions, which in turn saves you from substantial future expenditure needed to cure the worsened condition. These visits to your dentist also help restore your beautiful smile as well.


Dental discomfort

If you are feeling any dental troubles, visit your dentist as quick as possible, as undue delay only helps aggravate your condition further. Your dentist is the right entity, who can detect the source of your dental issue and start a proper treatment that works to improve your oral condition within the shortest possible time says Dr. Shervin Louie.


Benefits of Proper Dental Care

Proper maintenance with a regular hygiene schedule, works to reduce the risk of any dental decay. Its help maintains your beautiful looks and keeps dental bills at bay for sure. Many people on the other hand, are unable to understand the importance of a strong oral health regimen – unless they experience the unwanted pain and discomfort. Tooth issues can trigger diabetes, systemic infections, heart disease, difficulty with eating and swallowing, as well as other life-threatening medical conditions. Crooked and crowded teeth may contribute to gum diseases that can lead to tooth loss even says this well-known Dentist of Los Angeles. So, do it right and timely to avoid any oral complication down the road.

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Bruxism: The Seemingly Harmless Habit That Could Literally Make Your Teeth Fall Out!

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Bruxism: The Seemingly Harmless Habit That Could Literally Make Your Teeth Fall Out!


Bruxism TreatmentDo you sometimes find yourself waking up some mornings with a headache you can’t seem to explain? Have you experienced slight muscle pains in your face? If you answered “Yes” to these questions, you may be suffering from bruxism. Bruxism is more commonly referred to as “teeth grinding” or “jaw clenching”. This nasty habit seems harmless, but should not be ignored. The truth is, bruxism wears your teeth down and sets you up for cavities and makes you vulnerable to tooth fractures. If not addressed, worst case scenario is that bruxism will contribute to tooth loss. Below are ways to better understand bruxism and how you can address the issue to save your smile.


What Causes Bruxism?

Here at Smile in LA, we’ve understand that many factors can combine to create a bruxism habit. It is believed that anxiety and stress are the leading causes of bruxism. A misaligned bite, having missing teeth, or sleep abnormalities can also contribute to bruxism. There have also been some medications known to trigger episodes. Even neurological or musculature illnesses have been linked to the development of bruxism. If you’re are currently experiencing facial pain or discomfort due to bruxism, give us a call at (323) 461-9353 and schedule an immediate appointment.


Isn’t it Common for People to Grind Their Teeth?

Teeth grinding may be a common issue amongst the population,  but that does not mean this action is necessarily “normal”. Due to the fact that the stresses of bruxism affect your entire jaw, this pressure has been known to create cracks and chips in teeth. Over time, this can lead to jawbone loss which will result in a shortening of lower face height. For this reason, signs of bruxism should not be ignored! Los Angeles Dentist Dr. Shervin Louie of Smile in LA is pretty sure that is not a look you’re are looking to capture!


How Do I Know I Have a Bruxism Problem?  

In a majority of cases, we are able to see evidence of bruxism in your X-rays, an also from examining for signs of bruxism on the surface of your teeth.  We will alert you about any bruxism issues we see long before you exhibit a single symptom, especially if you sleep alone (which makes bruxism harder to notice). However, you might notice that you may occasionally begin to clench and grind your teeth between visits and start to notice bruxism symptoms on your own. If this explains your current situation, and you find that you frequently awake with a sore jaw, a headache that goes away shortly after rising, or if a loved one tells you your teeth are making odd “clicking and clanking” noises all night, be sure to mention it the next time you’re visiting our Los Angeles dental practice.


What Treatments Are Available?

Due to the varied cases of bruxism, treatments options vary as well. For example, should we determine stress as the primary cause of your bruxism, we will recommend you abstain from excessive caffeine as well as alcohol, while including some form of daily relaxation. Even something as simple as taking time to soak in a warm bath before sleeping can work ease your body and mind working to stop your bruxism habit.

Now, if your bruxism is a bit more serious, and your bite is of concern or if Dr. Louie suspects your bruxism links to a TMJ disorder, he will use his expertise to assist you with the root cause. In either case, we still like to start out with recommending an occlusal mouth guard to protect your teeth and jawbone from further damage. Protective devices like a sleeping mouth guard are easy to wear, and best of all – will not disrupt your ability to get a peaceful night’s sleep. As a matter of fact, sleeping guards tend to improve your quality of your sleep resulting in you waking up more refreshed and feeling well rested. Patients using sleeping guards have reported to snore less or stopped snoring, as well as awake with less facial pain.


So, the next time you’re sitting in for your dental visit at Smile In LA, ask if some sort of sleeping guard may help with your bruxism. It is common for many people go years without ever being aware of the fact that they are clenching and grinding their teeth since it takes some time for symptoms to show and be recognized. Getting a mouthguard once you are aware you have this habit will help you find relief from related headaches and muscle pain. Call us at (323) 461-9353 or visit our website for more information on how we can help you.

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The Ultimate Guide for Flossing Your Teeth

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The Ultimate Guide for Flossing Your Teeth


Woman flossing teeth smiling using dental flush. Happy girl with perfect teeth and toothy smile. Dental care portrait of beautiful multiracial Asian Caucasian female isolated on white background, 20s.

You probably already know about traditional string floss. But do you know if you are using it correctly? People have been flossing for years. But Los Angeles dentist Dr. Shervin Louie of Smile in LA says many patients are surprised to hear that they have been flossing the wrong way the entire time. There really is a wrong and right way to floss your teeth. Also, there are more tools for flossing available to you than you may think.

In addition to string floss, floss picks, water flosser, and interdental floss brushes are available to you in your local store! Each tool has it’s advantages and when used together can really optimize your oral health.

Below Dr. Louie provides you with ultimate guide to flossing. You can learn about proper flossing techniques as well as discover what tools are best to use in your oral care routine.


String Floss

String flossing is the most traditional tried-and-true technique to flossing that most individuals practice at home. If you notice light traces of blood on your floss or notice a bit of blood after flossing while brushing your teeth, you may be flossing to hard. Do your best to avoid forcing floss in between teeth. It can snap through all the way up to your gums and cause slight tissue damage. This tissue damage will cause gum sensitivity as well as cause light gum bleeding.

Use the visual below to see the proper technique that should be used while flossing with traditional string floss:

PicsArt_04-19-03.37.06

Floss Picks

Floss picks are essentially toothpicks with a strand of floss at the opposite end. They are used to floss in between teeth as well as pick food out that may get stuck behind wire braces. Since you can’t wrap your finger around the floss on a floss pick, you want to pay attention to how you floss. Do your best to avoid forcing the floss through your teeth. The best technique to use to gentle glide the floss upward back and forth until the floss is able to fit between your teeth comfortably. Guide the floss to rub up along the curvature of teeth along the top all the way until you pull it out repeating the process with each tooth.


Water Flosser

There is a long list of benefits that a water flosser can provide you. Water flossers are able to clean deeper into gum pockets than traditional floss reducing your chances of developing periodontal (gum) disease or gingivitis. This makes it especially beneficial for those who suffer from diabetes who are at greater risk for gum disease and gingival inflammation. Those who floss too hard and as a result suffer from light gum bleeding can also greatly benefit from using a water flosser. A water flosser can also greatly assist those with orthodontic appliances! Especially those with braces who struggle flossing around their wire framing. The way a water flosser works is that it utilizes water pressure to essentially blast away plaque and stuck on food.

Floss Your Teeth


Interdental Brushes

Many people have implemented flossing into their oral health routine, but not enough people have integrated interproximal plaque removal as a part of their oral hygiene habits. Interdental brushes remove plaque that builds in between larger gaps of teeth. Gaps that are too wide for thin traditional floss to clean. Interdental brushes really do combine the best of both worlds – flossing and brushing! To use an interdental brush, you want to first figure out what size brush you need. Do your best to avoid forcing larger interdental brushes into tight places. Never force the interdental brush into your gums. It will cause damage and possible bleeding of gums. The bigger the gap you are trying to clean, then the wider or thicker the interdental brush needed will be. Once you have figured out what size you need, you then simply place the interdental brush in between the gap and slide it back and forth to in a sense brush the sides of the tooth clean removing plaque as you move along. Los Angeles dentist Dr. Louie also advises to invest in an interdental brush that can bend at a 90 degree angle to reach those tough bicuspids and molars.


Utilizing these techniques while flossing every morning and night can greatly benefit your oral hygiene. Be sure to maintain a healthy smile by scheduling your next routine dental visit with Los Angeles dentist Dr. Shervin Louie of Smile in LA. Don’t forget to share this blog post with friends and family to ensure everyone’s oral health is in good standing.

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5 Optimal Care Tips to Keep Your Smile Shareworthy

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Group Of Friends Taking Selfie By Tower Bridge In London

Not many may know this little-known holiday, but March 1 is Share A Smile Day. This is a wonderful holiday we would love to see more people celebrate. It is a time to spread joy through the simple act of showing off your pearly whites. It is the perfect day and reason to spread the joy and make others happy.

Before you strut the town grinning to all, make sure you have a healthy smile. Here are 5 optimal dental care tips to ensure you smile is healthy and beautifully share-worthy.


1. Prevention is Key

When it comes to good oral care, prevention is a key component to keeping your smile in optimal health. It is very important to keep up with regular dental check-ups as well as dental cleanings. It is recommended you get your teeth cleaned at least twice a year. Regularly getting your teeth cleaned is not only beneficial to your teeth, but to your overall health as well. The teeth cleaning process removes tartar and plaque from the surface of each tooth which help prevent various dental issues that begin with tooth decay which consequently can progress into cavities or worse – gum disease.


2. Floss. Floss. Floss!

One thing is for sure – If you don’t brush everyday, make it a habit to at least floss at least once a day! Many dentist have debated that flossing once a day can be more beneficial than brushing twice a day. Most will agree that good oral hygiene includes a combination of both brushing and flossing. When flossing, make sure you are flossing correctly. To much surprise, there is a wrong and right way to floss. When flossing, you want to make sure you wrap the floss in a “c-shape” while covering as much tooth surface area as possible. Ideally, you want to cover half a diameter of each tooth at each angle. Be sure to floss in an up and down motion along the outer surface of each tooth and under gum tissue. Avoid flossing to roughly, which can cause gums to bleed.


3. Brush Regularly

Brushing should be done after every meal, but not everyone is able to do that with the busy schedules most have these days. The next best thing is to at least make sure you are brushing your teeth every morning and every night. Brushing teeth regularly can help prevent bad breath, tooth decay, tooth loss, and even gum disease. Avoid brushing too hard, as this will cause gums to bleed. Most people report to brush their teeth for a minimum of two minutes, but the truth is – teeth should be brush for however long it takes for them to get cleaned.


4. Clean Your Tongue

Ever noticed a white or slightly yellow residue on your tongue? This is known as white tongue. IF you suffer from white tongue, you more than likely have inflammed papillae. This is the result of dead bacteria, debris and dead cells that get stuck to them. White tongue is a temporary problem that can be easily fixed.  Most dentist would agree that it is very wise invest in a tongue scraper. Regularly brushing and /or scraping your tongue will help rid your tongue of the white residue and immediately freshen breath.


5. Change Your Diet

Diet can have a huge affect on your oral health. Teeth naturally are consistently remineralizing due to the saliva in your mouth. The saliva produced provides minerals to your teeth. The cells in teeth use these minerals to fortify themselves. A diet that promotes a healthy share-worthy smile has a lot of soluble vitamins, low levels of phytic acid (such as grains, beans and some nuts), and enough minerals to support healthy teeth. You will want to avoid foods high in starch and in sugars. The best foods have a lot of healthy fats (such as avocado, or cooking with coconut oil) and consuming healthy broths for added minerals in your diet.


Why Wait?

There is no need to wait for the perfect moment to start optimizing your smile! The time is now..and no better day than on Share A Smile Day! But you don’t need to wait for March 1st to share your smile. Spread some joy and happiness and smile at everyone you see throughout your day. Every day is a great day to show off your great smile. Have a delightful Share A Smile Day and visit our office to keep those pearly whites in tip-top shape!


Book your dental appointment with the best Dentist in Los Angeles today! Call (323) 461-9353

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Veneer and Teeth Bleaching Results

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Your smile is important! It’s one of the first things you notice when you meet someone. Dr.Louie has remarkable skills. He has the abilitySmileinLaBA to transform smiles such as this one showed here. Dr.Louie enhanced this patient’s smile with veneers and a teeth bleaching treatment. Veneers are used to help improve the look for teeth that are discolored, worn down, chipped, broken, misaligned, uneven, irregularly shaped, and teeth with small gaps. This veneer procedure helped cover any small gaps that showed, and the teeth bleaching left our patient with a beautiful pearly-white smile.

Dr. Louie will make your experience a delightful and an affordable one. He has been able to transform the smiles of many patients leaving them with more self-esteem and confidence. Dr. Louie’s patients leave his office happy and satisfied with the results of their dental procedures. The difference in his before and afters is dramatic and designed to last.

Contact our office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Louie and see how He can improve your smile like he did with the patient shown here. Our staff is happy to take your call and answer any questions you may have. We are happy to evaluate your smile and guide you through the treatment options  available that best suit your specific situation.

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10 Tips Towards Good Oral Hygiene

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Composite Fillings Los Angeles

Good oral hygiene is a vital component to overall health. It is wise to keep up with good dental care habits. Things such as flossing and brushing should be done on a daily basis, while dental cleanings can be done months apart.

It is encouraged that oral hygiene habits are introduced to children as soon as teeth begin to show. The best way to encourage a child to keep up with healthy oral care is to lead by example. Take time to floss and brush together. Here are ten top-notch tips to get you on the right track towards good oral hygiene.


  • Best Time to Brush: The best time to brush your teeth would be right before you go to bed and when early in the morning after you awake. Some dentist go as far as to recommend brushing after every meal. If consuming a meal with foods of high acidity, it would be best to wait a minimum of 30 minutes to avoid brushing acidity into your teeth which can cause tooth damage.
  • How Long to Brush: It is recommended you brush for a minimum of three minutes. Most dentist will agree that teeth should be brushed for as long as it takes to get clean.
  • Electric and Manual Brushing: It does not matter whether you choose to brush with an electric or a manual brush. What is vital is that the entire surface area of the tooth is thoroughly brushed and cleaned with a fluoride toothpaste. You want to make sure you are holding the brush at a slight angle and don’t forget to also brush your tongue. Many people do report that brushing with an electronic brush is easier for them. Speak to your dentist and discover what tooth works best for your specific circumstance.
  • What Type of Toothpaste is Best?: The most commonly known active ingredient in most commercial toothpaste is fluoride. While fluoride has been proven to strengthen teeth to become more resilient to cavities, not everyone needs to use a fluoridated toothpaste. Some people are sensitive to fluoride while others naturally have a higher amount of fluoride produced by their teeth. Children can use regular toothpaste, but child toothpaste can be used to help get your kids excited about dental care..Your dentist should be able to help you decide which toothpaste is ideal for you.
  • Flossing: Flossing is vital to good oral hygiene. It is recommended you floss before you brush your teeth. Flossing before brushing helps loosen food that may be stuck in tight spaces between your teeth (while your toothbrush will miss). When you floss, aim for approx. 18 inches of floss.Remember to be gentle and avoid snapping the floss into your gums. Floss should gentle rub between teeth and curve against each tooth once near the gumline.
  • Take Advantage of Interdental Brushes: Interdental brushes are ideal for rid pieces of food and plaque from the spaces between teeth. Your dentist can advise you on what brush sizes are appropriate. Be careful when first using interdental brushes. Avoid forcing interdental brushes into any space. Gums may bleed and become tender when used for the very first time as you begin to rid yourself of plaque build-up. If bleeding persist after a few days of use, visit your dentist. Your dentist will be able to tell you if you are using the interdental brushes incorrectly.
  • Mouthwash: Rinsing your mouth with mouthwash immediately after brushing your teeth will wash away any concentrated fluoride left on your teeth from your toothpaste. It is recommended you avoid eating or drinking for approximately 30 minutes after using mouthwash. To be safe, the ideal mouthwash should have an ADA symbol somewhere on the bottle.
  • Avoid Acids:  Proper diet plays a huge role in proper oral hygiene. Many of the foods we enjoy have high acidity levels. Some foods to limit would be fruits (lemons, strawberries, blueberries), nuts (cashew, peanut, walnuts), pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
  • Avoid Stain-Causing Dyes: Drinks such as coffee, tea, wine and sport drinks should be limited to keep teeth from yellowing. If you want to limit the amount of contact these drinks have on your teeth, use a straw. It will help to also limit the intake of stain-causing dyes found in hard candy, berries and tomato sauce which cause tooth discoloration.
  • Routine Dental Cleanings: Routine dental cleanings are great to keep your gums and teeth as healthy as possible. With routine deep cleanings, you can avoid cavities, tooth decay and even tooth loss. Routine dental cleanings also brighten your smile and freshen your breath. Regular routine visits to your dentist are also potentially life saving. Your dentist can detect early signs of heart disease, diabetes, and come cancers from your routine oral exams.

With the use of these tips, excellent routine oral hygiene habits your teeth should remain healthy pearly whites. Dentist appreciate it when their patients that ask questions and vocalize their concerns. Feel secure enough to keep open communication your dentist about your oral care.

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Why a Regular Dental Checkup Can Be Your Best Friend

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Regular Dental Check-Ups

Do you know the last time you visited a dentist? Or when you even thought about your dental hygiene? The moment you find something wrong with your teeth is the time a dental visit becomes necessary. You are only considered healthy if every part of your body, including your teeth, is in good condition.

If dental problems occur, it will eventually become a detriment to your overall health.  Excellent dental visit can only be maintained with regular dental visits every six months. During the time between visits, you must take great care of your teeth and mouth. Some office tests and preventive cleanings can help maintain healthy teeth for a long period of time.

Gum disease is one of the most common causes of tooth loss for adults.  It can affect patients easily, you must visit your dentist every six months, brush your teeth twice, use effective anti-bacterial mouthwash, and floss daily.

It is important to find dental problems early.  This includes gum disease and early signs of tooth decay.  By making your regular dental visits every 6 months, you can find out if there are any dental issues and prevent harmful bacteria from negatively affecting your teeth.

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Oil Pulling: Is it an Effective Practice for Dental Health?

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Oil Pulling

Oil pulling or swishing is an alternative practice in dental hygiene and has been used in the Indian subcontinent for over 5,000 years.  It reportedly improves oral and systemic diseases such as headaches, diabetes, asthma, gum disease, and can even help improve the color of teeth.

There have been various studies performed to measure the effects of oil pulling.  The results have been varied and reveal some interesting facts about the practice. A couple of studies have shown that oil pulling provides the same effectiveness as chlorhexidine against bad breath (halitosis) and organisms caused by bad breath.

In other studies, they show that oil pulling does not extract toxins out of the blood.  This is because the oral mucosa does not allow toxins to pass through.  Research has revealed some risks with the practice as well, including observed cases of recurrent lipoid pneumonia.  This is a chemical lung disease caused by inhaling small amounts of oil.

What we can conclude about oil pulling is that it contributes to the treatment of bad breath and gum disease, but does not have the safety and effective of a prescription mouth rinse provided by your dentist.  It can take over 20 minutes to complete correctly, which can be inconvenient for your daily schedule and routine.

Maintaining proper oral health can be achieved with consistent cleanings, brushing, and flossing.  The most important thing is to schedule dental visits as well.  Oil pulling is unnecessary if you want to keep that bright, healthy, and cosmetically vibrant smile.

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