BACTERIAL REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS
Proper brushing along with regular periodontal maintenance is the best guarantee of periodontal health.
How to Brush
Proper brushing is one of the most important steps you can take to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Brush your teeth for 2 minutes.
Here are some important reasons to brush (at least 2x a day):
- Brushing removes bacterial plaque and food particles to help keep your teeth and gums healthy.
- Without daily brushing, bacteria multiply and form plaque.
- Plaque is a sticky, colorless substance that covers teeth and gums.
- Plaque needs to be removed completely at least twice every 24 hours. Otherwise, it can lead to tooth decay (cavities), gum disease (gingivitis and periodontal disease) and possibly the loss of teeth.
DETAILED BRUSHING INSTRUCTIONS:
Brushing The Inner and Outer Surfaces of Teeth:
- Hold the toothbrush at a 45° angle with side bristles positioned where your teeth and gums meet.
- Wiggle the bristles with a short, gentle, back-and-forth motion over one or two teeth.
- Gently roll the toothbrush away from your teeth and proceed to the next couple of teeth, overlapping with the area you’ve already cleaned.
Brushing The Inner Surfaces of Front Teeth:
- Hold the toothbrush horizontal along the length of your teeth.
- Gently press and brush using small, short, horizontal strokes.
Brushing The Biting Surfaces of the Teeth:
- Use short, gentle strokes.
- Change the position of the brush as often as necessary to reach and clean all surfaces.
- Try to watch yourself in the mirror to make sure you clean each surface.
After you are done, rinse vigorously to remove any plaque you might have loosened while brushing.
If you have any pain while brushing or have any questions about how to brush properly,
-please be sure to call the office. 800-616-7010.
How to Floss
Periodontal disease usually appears between the teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing is a very effective way to remove plaque from those surfaces. However, it is important to develop the proper technique.
Dental floss is expressly designed to clean where toothbrushes can’t reach. Flossing needs to be done once every 24 hours to remove the plaque before it has a chance to harden. Once it hardens, it can only be removed by dental professionals. Here are some quick pointers for effective flossing.Remember it takes time and practice.
DETAILED FLOSSING INSTRUCTIONS:
- Use approximately 18 inches of floss
- Wind the floss around the middle finger of each hand. Leave about one inch of floss free to clean between teeth.
- Hold the floss tightly between thumbs and index fingers. These fingers are used to guide the floss between your teeth.
- Using a gentle sawing motion, insert the floss between your teeth.
- At the gum line, curve the floss into a “C” shape against the side of your tooth.
- Use an up and down scraping motion on the sides of each tooth to remove plaque just beneath the gum line and in between teeth. Repeat the same procedure on the tooth next to the one you just cleaned.
- Advance to a new section of floss as the section in use becomes used or worn.
- Repeat in the spaces between all of your teeth, top and bottom and behind your back teeth.
- You may notice bleeding from your gums after your first use, If bleeding persists after a few days of use, consult with our office.
When you are done, rinse vigorously with water to remove plaque and food particles. Do not be alarmed if during the first week of flossing your gums bleed or are a little sore. If your gums hurt while flossing you could be doing it too hard or pinching the gum. As you floss daily and remove the plaque your gums will heal and the bleeding should stop.
Caring For Sensitive Teeth
Sometimes after dental treatment, teeth are sensitive to hot and cold. If your mouth is kept clean, this sensation should not last long. However, if your mouth is not kept clean, the sensitivity will remain and could become more severe. If your teeth are especially sensitive, consult with our office. A medicated toothpaste or mouth rinse made especially for sensitive teeth may be recommended.
Choosing Oral Hygiene Products
There are so many products on the market that choosing the right one can be difficult. Here are some suggestions for selecting dental care products that will work for most patients:
- Automatic and “high-tech” electronic toothbrushes are safe and effective for the majority of users. Oral irrigators (water spraying devices) will rinse your mouth thoroughly, but will not remove plaque. You need to brush and floss in conjunction with the irrigator. We see excellent results with the electric toothbrushes “Oral B Power” and “Sonicare.”
- There are also tiny brushes (interproximal toothbrushes) that clean between your teeth.
- If used in conjunction with brushing and flossing, fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses can reduce tooth decay by as much as 40 percent. Remember, these rinses are not recommended for children under six years of age.
- Tartar control toothpastes will reduce tartar above the gum line, but because gum disease starts below the gum line, these products have not been proven to reduce the early stage of gum disease.
- Anti-plaque rinses, approved by the American Dental Association, contain agents that may help control signs of early gum disease. Use these in conjunction with brushing and flossing.
Our Team of Doctors and Hygienist will be glad to help you select the right products that are best for you.
