Home Care A beautiful, healthy smile that
lasts a lifetime is our ultimate goal when treating
patients. Your personal home care plays an important role in
achieving that goal. Your personal home care starts by
eating balanced meals, reducing the number of snacks you
eat, and correctly using the various dental aids that help
control the plaque and bacteria that cause dental disease.
Tooth brushing Brush your teeth at least twice a
day (especially before going to bed at night) with an ADA
approved soft bristle brush and toothpaste.
- Place the brush at a 45 degree angle to the gums and
gently brush using a small, circular motion, ensuring that
you always feel the bristles on the gums.
- Brush the outer, inner, and biting surfaces of each tooth.
- Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside of the front
teeth.
- Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your
breath.
Electric toothbrushes are also recommended. They are easy to
use and can remove plaque efficiently. Simply place the
bristles of the electric brush on your gums and teeth and
allow the brush to do its job, several teeth at a time.
Flossing Daily flossing is the best way to clean
between the teeth and under the gumline. Flossing not only
helps clean these spaces, it disrupts plaque colonies from
building up, preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone.
- Take 12-16 inches (30-40cm) of dental floss and wrap it
around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches (5cm) of
floss between the hands.
- Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss,
gently insert the floss between teeth using a sawing motion.
- Curve the floss into a C shape around each tooth and
under the gumline. Gently move the floss up and down,
cleaning the side of each tooth.
Floss holders are recommended if you have difficulty using
conventional floss.
Rinsing It is important to rinse your mouth with water
after brushing, and also after meals if you are unable to
brush. If you are using an over-the-counter product for
rinsing, its a good idea to consult with your dentist or
dental hygienist on its appropriateness for you.
Use other dental aids as recommended by your dentist or
dental hygienist: Interdental brushes, rubber tip
stimulators, tongue cleaners, irrigation devices, fluoride,
medicated rinses, etc., can all play a role in good dental
home care.
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