| If you are like most people, there are areas in | | | | choose to use a regular or electric toothbrush, |
| your mouth that you may miss when you brush | | | | your dentist or hygienist can instruct you as to |
| and floss. By brushing and flossing in an effective | | | | how to brush properly and gently massage your |
| manner, you can help control plaque and gingivitis. | | | | gums. Be sure to brush twice daily, and pay |
| Dental plaque is formed by a bacterial film that is | | | | special attention to your back teeth. Make it a |
| found under the gum line and between teeth, | | | | point to establish good dental habits, and also try |
| causing them to appear yellowish in color. If left | | | | to eat a well-balanced diet while avoiding sugary |
| untreated, it becomes calculus (tartar), a calcified | | | | snacks.FlossingOne of the most important things |
| (or hardened) bacterial plaque. Gingivitis is an | | | | we overlook in taking care of our teeth is flossing. |
| advanced stage of plaque where the gums are | | | | Studies show that brushing your teeth alone is not |
| inflamed. This is also referred to as a mild stage | | | | enough. Flossing removes plaque from the spaces |
| of periodontal disease. If this is still left untreated, | | | | in between your teeth that a toothbrush cannot |
| it now becomes advanced periodontitis. It is very | | | | remove. When selecting what kind of floss to |
| important for everyone to have regular dental | | | | buy, try to obtain one that is either unwaxed or |
| checkups, even if you think you don't have any | | | | lightly waxed. For those people who lack the |
| problems with your teeth.Oral HygieneIn order to | | | | manual dexterity to maneuver floss, a floss holder |
| minimize the chances of getting periodontal | | | | may be helpful. For cases such as cleaning |
| diseases, employing good oral health practices in | | | | interdental areas between bridge pontics, use |
| the home will certainly help you in achieving this | | | | dental tape or super floss.To effectively floss |
| goal. Patients should have all the necessary | | | | your teeth, take about 12 inches or more of floss |
| information from their dentist so that they can be | | | | and wind it around your index fingers, and then |
| proactive in preventing periodontal disease. One | | | | hold the floss between your thumbs and index |
| way to accomplish this is by purchasing the right | | | | fingers and gently slide the floss between your |
| kind of toothbrush. Most dentists recommend that | | | | teeth. Curve around the base of the tooth and |
| you buy a toothbrush with soft bristles, so that it | | | | then pull the floss out, never snap the floss up |
| will not injure the delicate gingival tissues, but at | | | | and down, as this may cause you to cut your |
| the same time also be stiff enough to clean | | | | delicate gum tissue. After you are done flossing, it |
| gingival areas and interproximal spaces. The | | | | is also recommended to rinse your mouth out |
| objective of brushing your teeth is to de-plaque | | | | with mouthwash.For patients that have individual |
| teeth. Most people, on the average, spend about | | | | crowns or teeth splinted together, you may be |
| 1 minute brushing their teeth. The recommended | | | | instructed by your dentist or hygienist to use |
| brushing time should be approximately 3 minutes | | | | floss threaders or proxy brushes. The size of the |
| twice a day every day.Brushing BasicsThere are | | | | interdental space will determine which type of aid |
| several ways to brush your teeth, and your | | | | is best suited for you. You should use floss if you |
| dentist can recommend which method is right for | | | | have a narrow space, a Stim-U-Dent if you have |
| you. Most of us probably use the bass method | | | | slightly open spaces, and an interdental brush if |
| technique. The toothbrush is angled approximately | | | | you have wide open spaces almost going to the |
| 45 degrees against the gumline, and is rotated | | | | root. Again, your dentist will be able to |
| towards the occlusal (chewing) surfaces. Do not | | | | recommend which type of aid is right for you.As |
| use excessive force when brushing your teeth as | | | | you can see, taking care of your mouth has its |
| this will cause the gums to bleed. Also, forceful | | | | advantages. By brushing and flossing your teeth |
| brushing of your teeth strips away tooth enamel | | | | combined with regular professional care by a |
| causing your gums to become more sensitive. A | | | | dentist, you will not only have clean teeth and |
| soft toothbrush is recommended to help prevent | | | | healthy gums, but you will also help to prevent |
| sensitive gums. Brushing the gumline is very | | | | yourself from becoming prone to bacterial |
| effective to help reduce plaque build-up. Healthy | | | | diseases of the mouth. Another advantage is that |
| looking gums are pink in appearance, not red and | | | | you will also feel confident to smile in public, |
| puffy.In recent years, we have been introduced | | | | knowing that your teeth do not appear unsightly. |
| to the electric toothbrush, and it has become | | | | Take care of your teeth, and they will take care |
| quite popular in homes today. Whether you | | | | of you, and remember to keep smiling! |