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.
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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.
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Brush the outer, inner, and biting surfaces of each tooth.
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Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside of the front teeth.
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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.
Oral irrigation - Use your irrigator once a day. You may also know this as a water pik. This is used for between the teeth and under the gums. It is the ideal way to disrupt the biofilm. This is the stickey substence that harbors the bacteria. Irrigating will also flush out the bacteria and deliver an antimicrobial solution to the area.
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Fill the reservoir with warm tap water. Add one 1/8th of teaspoon of bleach. Yes, bleach, it is a great antimicrobial and it is inexpensive. The other option is Therasol from Oratec. We do dispense in our office.
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Start on medium power. Work up to full strength in a few days.
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Hold the tip between the teeth for a count of four. Trace along the flat sides of the tooth. Lean over the sink and spit out as you go.
- When finished rinse out the reservoir with hot tap water and wipe out. Leave the cover ascue to allow for air drying.
Flossing – Daily flossing is a good way to clean between the teeth and under the gumline. It is especially good way to remove food debris
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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.
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Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently insert the floss between teeth using a sawing motion.
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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.
Do NOT rinse after brushing. You are rinsing out any benefit from your toothpaste.
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.