Oral Hygiene

Why Is Oral Hygiene So Important?

Good oral hygiene is the best defense you have against tooth loss.  If you are an adult over 35, you have a better chance of losing teeth to gum disease (periodontal disease) than from cavities. Three out of four adults are affected by gum disease at some time in their life. Periodontal disease and decay are both caused by bacterial plaque, which is a colorless film that sticks to your teeth at the gum line. By thorough daily brushing and flossing you can remove these germs and help avoid periodontal disease. Prevent cavities and periodontal disease from infiltrating your oral health through good tooth brushing and flossing techniques, performed daily.

How To Brush

Proper brushing is essential to good oral health.  Be sure to use a soft to medium toothbrush. 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 brushing the outside surfaces of your teeth while applying light pressure. When you are done cleaning the outside surfaces of all your teeth, follow the same directions for cleaning the inside of the back teeth.

To clean the inside surfaces of the upper and lower front teeth, hold your brush vertically. Make several gentle back-and-forth strokes over each tooth. Don't forget to gently brush the surrounding gum tissue.

Next you will clean the biting surfaces of your teeth by using 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.

If you have any pain while brushing or have any questions about how to brush properly, please be sure to call the office at 320-358-4733.

How To Floss

You are most susceptible to gum disease in between the teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach. That's why flossing is such an important aspect to your oral health.  It is a very effective way to remove plaque from those surfaces that are impossible to reach with a toothbrush alone. However, it is important to develop the proper technique.

Start with a piece of floss (waxed is easier) 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, remaining 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 forefingers of both hands. Do not forget the backside of the last tooth on both sides, upper and lower.

When you are done, rinse vigorously with water to remove plaque and food particles that may have loosened. 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, your teeth feel sensitive to hot and cold. This should not last long, but only if your mouth is kept clean. If your mouth is not kept clean the sensitivity will remain and could become more severe. If your teeth are especially sensitive consult with Dr. Nguyen, Saari or Vu who may recommend a medicated toothpaste, MI Plus paste or mouth rinse made especially for sensitive

Choosing Oral Hygiene Products

How do you decide between the vast assortments of dental 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. Oral irrigators (water spraying devices) rinse your mouth thoroughly, but do not remove plaque. You need to brush and floss in conjunction with the irrigator. We see excellent results with electric toothbrushes – specifically Sonicare, Rotadent and Interplak.

·         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 by as much as 40%. Remember, these rinses are not recommended for children under six years of age. Tartar control toothpastes 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.

·         American Dental Association approved anti-plaque rinses contain agents that help bring early gum disease under control. Use these in conjunction with brushing and flossing.

Professional Cleaning

While brushing and flossing daily helps keep dental problems to a minimum, professional cleaning removes plaque and tarter build up in places your toothbrush and floss have missed. Your visit every 6 months to our office is an important part of your treatment plan to prevent gum disease. Let's work together to keep your teeth for your entire lifetime!