Oral Hygiene

Why is oral hygiene so important?

Adults over 35 lose more teeth to gum disease (periodontal disease) than cavities. Three out of four adults are affected at some point in their lives. Daily tooth brushing and flossing techniques are the best way to prevent cavities.

Bacterial plaque is the cause of periodontal disease and decay. Plaque is a colorless film that sticks to teeth at the gum line. It constantly forms on teeth. By thorough daily brushing and flossing, you can remove these germs and help prevent periodontal disease.

How to Brush Teeth

Dr. Weiandt recommends using a soft 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 to brush the outside surfaces of your teeth. Use light pressure while putting the bristles between the teeth, but not so much pressure that you feel discomfort.

When cleaning the outside surfaces of all your teeth, follow the exact directions while cleaning the inside of the back teeth.

Hold the brush vertically to clean the inside surfaces of the upper and lower front teeth. Make several gentle back-and-forth strokes over each tooth. Gently brush the surrounding gum tissue. 

Next, you will clean the biting surfaces of your teeth using short, gentle strokes. Change the position as often as necessary to reach 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.

Taking Care of Your Teeth and Gums

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 essential to develop the proper technique. The following instructions will help you, but remember it takes time and practice.

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 and the rest 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. Could you gently insert the floss tightly between the teeth using a back-and-forth motion? Please do not force the floss or try to snap it into 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, it needs 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 forefingers of both hands. Do not forget the back side of the last tooth on both sides, upper and lower.

When done, could you rinse vigorously with water to remove plaque and food particles? Please don’t worry if your gums bleed or are sore during the first week of flossing. 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.

Choosing Oral Hygiene Products

So many products on the market can become confusing, and choosing between them 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 for most patients. Oral irrigators (water spraying devices) will rinse your mouth thoroughly but not remove plaque. You need to brush and floss in conjunction with the irrigator. We see excellent results with electric toothbrushes and Waterpiks.

Some toothbrushes have a rubber tip on the handle, which is used to massage the gums after brushing. Tiny brushes (interproximal toothbrushes) clean between your teeth. Proper use can injure the gums, so discuss proper use with your doctor.

Fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses can reduce tooth decay by as much as 40% if used with brushing and flossing. Remember, these rinses are not recommended for children under six. Tartar control toothpastes will 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.

Anti-plaque rinses, approved by the American Dental Association, contain agents that may help prevent early gum disease. They can be used in conjunction with brushing and flossing.

Professional Dental Cleaning

Daily brushing and flossing will keep dental calculus to a minimum, but it will remove calculus in places your toothbrush and floss have missed. Your visit to our office is integral to your program to prevent gum disease. Keep your teeth for your lifetime.