Oral hygiene instructions

Oral Hygiene Instructions

Why Is Oral Hygiene So Important?

·         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 ?

·         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.

·         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 ?

·         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.

·         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.

·         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.

·         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

·         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.

·         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.

·         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.

·         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.

·         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 .

Professional Cleaning

·         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

·         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.

·         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

·         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.