Oral Hygiene
How To Brush Your Teeth
Brushing Your Teeth With a Manual Brush
While brushing the outside surfaces of your teeth, position the brush at a 45-degree angle where your gums and teeth meet. Gently move the brush in a horizontal motion several times (count 3 seconds per surface) using small, gentle strokes. Use light pressure as hard brushing can lead to gum recession and teeth abrasion. When you are done cleaning the outside surfaces of all your teeth, follow the same directions while cleaning the inside surfaces of the teeth.
To clean the inside surfaces 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. To do this, 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 visit our office.
Brushing Your Teeth with an Electric Toothbrush
Remember an electric toothbrush is doing everything for you. The only thing you are in charge of is placing the brush in the proper angulation (45-degree angle where your gums and teeth meet) and only hold it with a very light grip or with your fingertips in order not to cause trauma to your gums and teeth. Make sure that the brush is let to work for 3-5 seconds per each tooth surface and don’t forget just like with manual brushing please make sure to keep an order so no teeth are forgotten. Most electric toothbrushes have a 2 minute timer if you go beyond the two minutes you are better off so don’t let that timer stop you from spending more time brushing!
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. 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 hand. 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 tightly 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 to the gum line then curve it lightly into a C-shape against one tooth. Slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth until you feel light resistance. Move the floss away from the gum line as if you were using a squeegee on the side of one tooth. Remember there are two tooth surfaces that need to be cleaned in each space. Continue to floss each side of all the upper teeth. Be careful not to cut the gum tissue between the teeth. As the floss becomes soiled, turn the floss in one of the middle fingers and undo the floss from 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.
Caring for Sensitive Teeth
Sometimes after dental treatment, teeth are sensitive to hot and cold. If the mouth is kept clean, this sensation should not last long. However, if the mouth is not kept clean, the sensitivity will remain and could become more severe. If your teeth are especially sensitive, consult with Dr. Silvia La Rosa. 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.
- Some toothbrushes have a rubber tip on the handle that is used to massage the gums after brushing. There are also tiny brushes (interproximal toothbrushes) that clean between your teeth. If these are used improperly you could injure the gums, so be sure to discuss proper use with Dr. S. La Rosa.
- 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.
Please let us know if you have any questions selecting oral hygiene products, we and our team will be happy to help you select the right products that are best for you!