Oral Hygiene
Why is oral hygiene so important?
Adults over 35 lose more teeth to gum diseases (periodontal disease) than from 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 tooth brushing and flossing techniques, performed daily.
Periodontal disease and decay are both caused by bacterial plaque. Plaque is a colorless film, which 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 and Floss
It’s no secret that the best way to prevent oral decay and disease is by maintaining a strict oral hygiene routine every day. Brushing and flossing go hand in hand; you shouldn’t do one without the other. Brushing your teeth is an excellent way to remove food debris and flossing allows you to get into the hard-to-reach areas between your teeth that your toothbrush cannot reach. Both effectively remove plaque, which erode your tooth enamel if left untouched long enough. This then eventually leads to tooth decay. Plaque also causes gum disease and bad breath.
Brushing
- After choosing a toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles, grasp it with your fingers and apply a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste on the bristles.
- Be sure to hold the bristles near the gum line.
- Sweep the brush gently back and forth over your teeth and gums in soft strokes or a circular motion, but do not apply too much force.
- Clean away food debris between your teeth and away from your gums by using a sweeping motion.
- Don’t forget to brush the back of your teeth as well, tilting the bristles up toward the gums for the top teeth or down toward the gums for your bottom teeth.
- Also brush the chewing surfaces of your teeth by holding the bristles flat against your molars to clean all the ridges of your back teeth.
- Repeat this whole process for your other row of teeth.
- Finally, carefully brush your tongue to remove extra bacteria.
Flossing
- Begin by cutting off a piece of floss about 18 inches long.
- Wind the floss around the middle finger of both your hands, leaving a gap between them that spans about three or four inches.
- It’s common for beginners to tighten their lips and cheeks, making it difficult to get their fingers into their mouth. Be sure to relax them.
- Slowly guide the floss between your teeth. If the gap is tight, use a gentle sawing motion to slip the floss between the gap. The sawing motion should only be used when slipping floss between your teeth.
- There are two sides to each space between your teeth. They must be flossed separately in order to not irritate the triangle of gum tissue between the teeth. Run the floss up and down the surface of the first side, making sure that you’re reaching the gum line and then to the highest point between the teeth. Apply pressure away from the gum triangle, letting it curve around the first side of the tooth to form a letter “C” with the floss. Repeat this process with the other side of the tooth.
- Work all around the mouth to get every side and the backsides of your molars.
- Feel free to unwind more floss if you find your strand fraying or turning brown.
Caring for Sensitive Teeth
Sometimes after dental treatment, teeth are sensitive to hot and cold. This should not last long, but only if the mouth is kept clean. If the mouth is not kept clean the sensitivity will remain and could become more severe. If your teeth are especially sensitive consult with your doctor. They may recommend a medicated toothpaste or mouth rinse made especially for sensitive teeth.
Choosing Oral Hygiene Products
There are so many products on the market it can become confusing and choosing between all the products can be difficult. Here are some suggestions for choosing dental care products that will work for most patients.
Automatic and “high-tech” electronic toothbrushes are safe and effective for the majority of the patients. Oral irrigators such as the Sonicare Power flosser (water spraying devices) will rinse your mouth thoroughly and help to remove plaque and debris between the teeth. You need to brush and floss in conjunction with a water pick. We see excellent results with electric toothbrushes called Sonicare Protective Clean. We sell both products at the office.
- Sonicare Protective Clean available in (blue, pink or white) $45
- Sonicare Power Flosser $70.00
Some toothbrushes have a rubber tip on the handle, this 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 discuss proper use with your doctor.
Fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses, if used in conjunction with brushing and flossing, can reduce tooth decay as much as 40%. Remember, these rinses are not recommended for children under six years of age. Tartar control toothpastes will reduce tartar above the gum line, but gum disease starts below the gum line, so 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 bring early gum disease under control. Use these in conjunction with brushing and flossing.
Teeth Whitening
Over time, stain-causing foods and beverages, smoking, and thinning enamel can dim the brightest smile. If you are feeling self-conscious about your teeth, your dentist can help you discover the whitening treatment that is best for you.
Opalescence Go
The Opalescence Go Whitening System is so powerful and effective it is only dispensed by dentists. This system contains a total of 10 take home trays that contain a whitening gel. Simply insert the comfortable trays in your mouth and wear for the recommended time, and your teeth will be whiter and brighter.
- Opalescence Go Whitening System $75
Custom Gel Trays
Custom trays created in the dentist’s office are an option for those who want to use a whitening gel at home. Professionally crafted trays will fit your teeth perfectly and allow a more precise application of the peroxide gel, which will also be provided. Custom trays can require about two weeks of use for maximum whitening.
Some teeth are not good candidates for typical whitening procedures at home or in-office. If you have deeper discoloration caused by trauma or medications taken during tooth formation, or if you have dental bonding, veneers, crowns, or bridges which are darker than your natural enamel, talk to your dentist to decide which whitening treatment or cosmetic procedure is the best option to achieve your brightest smile.