Oral Hygiene

How to 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 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 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 call our office.

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 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 into a C-shape against one tooth. Move the floss up and down 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, it is wrapped around the middle finger of one hand and a clean area of floss is unwrapped from the other hand.

To clean between the bottom teeth, guide the floss using the forefinger of both hands. Do not forget the back side of the last tooth on both sides, upper and lower.

When you are done, rinse 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 too deeply. Check with our office if bleeding continues with proper professional care. Bleeding usually stops or diminishes greatly with proper oral hygiene.

Caring For Sensitive Teeth

Sometimes after dental treatment, teeth are sensitive to hot or cold. This sensation should not last long if an appropriate hygiene regimen is followed. If your teeth are especially sensitive, consult with Dr. Roberts or Dr. Goodner. 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 or electronic toothbrushes are safe and effective for the majority of users. Oral irrigators (water spraying devices) can aid in rinsing and removing food particles, but do not adequately remove plaque. You need to brush and floss in conjunction with an irrigator for best results.  We have seen excellent results with electric toothbrushes from Oral-B and Sonicare.
  • Small brushes designed to fit between teeth are excellent at removing plaque and are recommended. They are often called interproximal brushes or proxy-brushes. If these are used improperly, you could injure the gums, so be sure to discuss their proper use with Dr. Roberts or Dr. Goodner.
  • If used in conjunction with brushing and flossing, fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses can reduce tooth decay by as much as 40 percent. Remember, fluoride rinses are not recommended for children under six years of age.
  • Tartar control toothpastes may reduce tartar above the gum line, but because gum disease occurs below the gum line, these products have not been proven to reduce the early stages of gum disease.

Dr. Roberts and Dr. Goodner can help you select techniques or products that are best for you.