Oral Hygiene
Instructions
Why Is Oral Hygiene So
Important?
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Adults over 35 lose more teeth to gum disease
(periodontal disease) rather than to cavities. Three out of four adults are
affected at some time in their life. The best way to prevent cavities and
periodontal disease is by good, daily tooth brushing and flossing techniques.
·
Periodontal disease and decay are both
caused by bacterial plaque. Plaque is a colorless film that sticks to your
teeth at the gum line. Plaque constantly forms on your teeth. By thorough daily
brushing and flossing, you can remove these germs and help prevent periodontal
disease.
How To Brush ?
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While brushing the outside surfaces of
your teeth you can start by positioning the brush where your gums and teeth
meet. Gently move the brush in a circular motion several times using small,
gentle strokes. Use light pressure while putting the bristles between the
teeth, but not so much pressure that you feel any discomfort.
·
When you are done cleaning the outside surfaces
of all your teeth, follow the same directions while cleaning the inside of the
back teeth. To clean the inside of the upper and lower front teeth, hold the
brush vertically. Make several gentle back-and-forth strokes over each tooth.
Don’t forget to gently brush the surrounding gum tissue.
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Next you will clean the biting surfaces of your
teeth by using 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.
How To Floss ?
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Flossing is a very effective way to remove
plaque from surfaces where your toothbrush cannot reach. However, it is
important to develop the proper technique. The following instructions will help
you, but remember it takes time and practice.
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Start with a piece of floss (waxed is easier)
about 18” long. Lightly wrap most of the floss around the middle finger of one
had. Wrap the rest of the floss around the middle finger of the other hand.
·
To clean the upper teeth, hold the floss tightly
between the thumb and forefinger of each hand. Gently insert the floss between
the teeth using a back-and-forth motion. Do not force the floss or try to snap
it in to place. Bring the floss under the contact to the gumline then curve it
into a C-shape against one tooth. Slide it into the pocket between the gum and
the tooth until you feel light resistance. Move the floss up and down on the
side of one tooth. Remember there are two surfaces that need to be cleaned
under each contact. Continue to floss through each contact of all the upper
teeth. Be careful not to cut the gum tissue between the teeth. As the floss
becomes soiled, turn from one finger to the other to get a fresh section.
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To clean between the bottom teeth, guide the
floss using the forefinger of both hands. Do not forget the backside of the
last tooth on both sides, upper and lower.
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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.
Choosing Oral Hygiene
Products
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There are so many products on the market that it
can become difficult and confusing choosing between all of them. Here are some
suggestions for choosing dental care products that will work for most patients.
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Electronic toothbrushes and oral irrigators
(water spraying devices) will also significantly improve oral health when there
are areas that are difficult to access and when dexterity limits the action of
manual tooth brushing.
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As far as manual toothbrushes go, you should always
choose a MEDIUM or SOFT bristled brush. The hard bristles will abrade teeth and
contribute to recession of gum tissue around the teeth. Some toothbrushes have
a rubber tip on the handle; this is used to massage the gums after brushing.
Also available are end tufted brushes to clean at the gumline and between
teeth. If these are used improperly you could injure the gums, so be sure to
discuss proper use with our office.
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Toothpastes should always contain fluoride
(unless there is a concern that the toothpaste may be swallowed). Fluoride
helps to prevent tooth decay by making the teeth less soluble, or in other
words, making the teeth stronger. Fluoride actually changes the tooth on a
structural and molecular level. Without it, teeth are very susceptible to tooth
decay. Our office does not support one toothpaste brand over another, just as
long as it contains fluoride. We also recommend that it be used at least twice
a day.
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Antibacterial and fluoridated mouth rinses, if
used in conjunction with bushing and flossing, can reduce tooth decay and help
eliminate bacteria connected to gum disease. Remember, these rinses are not recommended for children .
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Daily brushing and flossing will keep dental
plaque and calculus to a minimum, but a professional cleaning will remove
plaque and tartar in places where your toothbrush and floss have missed. Your
initial appointment and subsequent recall appointments with us utilize state of
the art instrumentation and medicaments specifically formulated to treat
patients and their existing state of oral health. Regular hygiene appointments
are an extremely important part of your overall oral health. They will help to
prevent gum disease .
Nutrition
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Good nutrition plays a large role in your dental
health. Brushing and flossing help keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong.
However, a balanced diet will help boost your body’s immune system, leaving you
less vulnerable to oral disease.
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How often and what you eat have been found to
affect your dental health. Bacteria feed on the sugars in your mouth and
produce acids which attack your teeth. Snacking on starchy and sticky foods,
which are slow to dissolve, gives bacteria more time to create the acid which
destroys tooth enamel.
Starchy foods:
- § Breads
- § Cookies
- § Cereal
Sticky/slow to dissolve foods:
- § Chewy fruit snacks
- § Dried fruit
- § Hard candy
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Starchy and sticky foods create less acid when
eaten as part of a meal. Saliva production increases at mealtime, rinsing away
food particles and neutralizing harmful acids. It is very important to brush,
floss, and rinse after you eat starchy or sticky foods. This would effectively
remove particles that could increase the acid concentration in the mouth, which
would ultimately lead to tooth decay and periodontal complications.