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. 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.
Daily flossing is the best way to clean between the teeth and under the gumline. Flossing not only helps clean these spaces, it disrupts plaque colonies from building up, preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone.
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.
Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently insert the floss between teeth using a sawing motion.
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.
It is important to rinse your mouth with water after brushing, and also after meals if you are unable to brush. If you are using an over-the-counter product for rinsing, it’s a good idea to consult with your dentist or dental hygienist on its appropriateness for you.
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.
Good oral hygiene care has several health benefits including having fewer dental cavities. In addition, proper flossing between teeth and along the gum line prevents the development of gingivitis. Preventing gingivitis means that individuals do not experience painful symptoms of swollen or bleeding gums when brushing or when eating crunchy foods.
An oral cavity free of food debris is less likely to grow harmful bacteria-filled plaque. Adults and children who carefully floss and brush their teeth each day require fewer dental procedures. There are also psychological health benefits from proper oral care techniques at home, which include having fresh smelling breath and a beautiful smile.
Your Dental health Partners will show you the proper way to brush and floss, and we will discuss the warning signs of periodontal disease, like swollen or bleeding gums. Also, if you have any special concerns or medical conditions, such as diabetes, we can show you extra tips on how to safely and effectively care for your teeth.
Contact us today to learn how our team of experienced dentists and staff will help you establish a foundation of good oral health to last a lifetime.
