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Oral Hygiene
Most people brush and floss irregularly and ineffectively. In order to protect your teeth and gums, you should brush at least twice a day, for a minimum of two minutes. Flossing should be done at least once a day. The following instructions will provide proper instruction in brushing and flossing techniques:
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.
Brushing in a set pattern helps to ensure that all the surfaces of the teeth are properly cleaned. Begin brushing in the back upper right hand corner on the cheek side of the teeth. Proceed toward the front of the mouth and continue to the back upper left side. Next, begin brushing the back lower left hand corner on the cheek side of the teeth. Proceed toward the front of the mouth and continue to the back lower right side. Now, begin to brush the back lower right hand corner on the tongue side of the teeth and continue to the left side. Finally, move back to the upper teeth on the left hand side and brush the palatal side (toward the roof of the mouth) of the teeth from the back upper left side and continuing across to the back upper right side. You should start and finish in the same area of the mouth with this pattern and all areas of the mouth have been brushed.
To clean the inside surfaces of the upper and lower front teeth, hold the brush vertically. Make several gentle up and down 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.
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. Slide it into the space 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 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 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 back side 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. 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, mouth rinse made especially for sensitive teeth, or Fluoride gel.
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.
Use a soft bristle toothbrush.
If you prefer a mechanical (electric) toothbrush, do not use it as you would a manual toothbrush – circular brushing motion etc. The brush is designed to do all the work.
Use a Fluoride toothpaste.
If you have spaces in between your teeth, a proxybrush or bottle brush (interproximal brush) is the most effective way to clean the surfaces between the teeth.
Floss at least daily. For those who have “tight” contacts, a glide or ribbon-like floss will usually work well.
Over the counter mouthwashes like Listerine or Crest ProHealth are helpful adjuncts. Rinses and irrigators will not be effective to treat periodontal pockets (pockets extending below the gumline), they only help control plaque above the gum line.
Our doctors are the best people to help you select the right products that are best for you.
Professional Cleaning
Daily brushing and flossing will keep dental calculus to a minimum, but a professional cleaning will remove calculus in places your toothbrush and floss have missed. Visit your periodontist, as he or she is an important part of your program to prevent gum disease. Keep your teeth for your lifetime.
Maintenance therapy is an important aspect in the long-term care of a patient who has been treated for periodontal disease. People who have periodontal disease are susceptible to it for life. To help keep the disease under control, regular cleanings with the periodontist are often required. These cleanings are less aggressive than scaling and root planing, but usually more aggressive than regular cleanings with a general dentist. Dr. Flynn will recommend a cleaning schedule appropriate for your case. We will usually alternate cleanings between our office and your general dentist to ensure that your dental needs are appropriately managed.
