Brushing and Flossing Techniques
Healthy oral hygiene begins at home. Once your hygienist has
completed your oral hygiene appointment, there are a few simple
things you can do to continue a regime of good oral hygiene at
home. They include proper brushing and flossing, as well as eating
a balanced diet.
Daily brushing and flossing removes plaque and food particles
from the teeth and gums. Plaque is the number one cause of bad
breath, tooth decay, and gum disease. Here are some steps for
getting the most out of your brushing and flossing.
Steps For
Getting the Most Out Of Brushing:
 1.
Place the toothbrush against your gumline (where the teeth
and
gums meet) at a 45 degree angle (the brush will be tilted).
Use a small circular motion to brush your teeth and gums. Move
from tooth to tooth to brush the outer surfaces of your teeth
and gums.
2.
When you're done with the outer surfaces repeat the
motion to brush the inner surfaces of
your teeth.
Again,
keep the
brush
at
a
45 degree angle to clean both the teeth and gums.
3.
After your've cleaned the ouside and inside surfaces move
to the chewing surfaces of your
teeth. Holding the brush flat, use a back and forth motion
to clean these surfaces.
4.
Brush the inner surfaces of the upper and lower front teeth
using
a back and forth motion with the toe of the brush.
5.
Don’t
forget to brush your tongue as well; the tongue
can build up plaque and stain on it too. When brushing
your
tongue, place the toothbrush back as far as you can (without
gagging)
and pull it forward. Repeat 3-4 times. Or you can
scrape your tongue with a clean teaspoon. Orienting
the spoon down, pull the teaspoon forward several times
to clean the tongue.
Always start
in the same place in your mouth. Don't rush through your brushing,
give consistent attention to each quadrant
of
your teeth. A proper brushing should take at least two or three
minutes to complete.
Steps For
Getting the Most Out Of Flossing:
 1.
Take at least 18 inches of dental floss, waxed or unwaxed,
whichever
is more comfortable, and wind most of it around the
middle finger of one hand. Wind 2-3 inches of floss around
the middle finger of the other hand.
 2.
Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers,
leaving about 2 inches of floss in between. Using a gentle,
back
and forth motion to guide the floss in between your teeth.
Avoid snapping the floss, as this may cause unnecessary
irritation to the gums. 
3.
As the floss reaches the gumline, make a C-shape around the
tooth
until you feel pressure against your tooth. Gently
scrape the tooth surface with the floss.
4.
Move the floss from hand to hand as it becomes soiled and
repeat this
process for each tooth. Floss both sides of
each tooth.
5.
Be sure to floss the back sides of your back teeth. When
you’re
done flossing the hand which initially had a majority
of the floss will have less. Do not
be alarmed if your gums bleed
the first few times you floss. If the bleeding continues
each time you floss, consult your dentist or hygienist.
The problem
may be improper flossing. They will demonstrate the proper
method. Tooth-Care Tips:
- Toothbrushing for at least 2 minutes twice a day will help remove
plaque from the surfaces of your teeth.
- Brush twice daily with a soft toothbrush that is not worn out
or frayed. Your toothbrush needs to be replaced every 3 months.
- Never share
toothbrushes—it will spread germs
- Always replace your toothbrush after you have been ill.
- Remember to floss at least once a day because flossing cleans
between teeth where a toothbrush cannot reach.
- Adults and children over Age 3 years should use a toothpaste
with fluoride. The use of fluoride, which is in toothpastes,
rinses and drops, has been shown to reduce dental cavities. It
is important that young children are closely monitored when using
products containing fluoride so that they do not ingest an excessive
amount. Only a pea-size amount of toothpaste is necessary for
a child to use.
- Children
under 7 years old need an adult’s help brushing
and flossing their teeth. Lay the child flat (on a sofa or bed)
with their head placed in your lap for best access. Good habits
learned early for a child will surely be carried over to their
young adult life.
- Infants’ teeth should gently be brushed or wiped off with a damp
washcloth. Ask your dentist or pediatrician about fluoride
drops because they should not be using regular toothpaste
yet.
- Swishing twice daily with Listerine will also help control germs
and bacteria in your mouth.
- Eat balanced meals and limit food that is high in sugar.
- Be sure
to visit our office for your hygiene appointments and checkups
every 6 months, or on the schedule your dentist prescribes.
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