Oral Hygiene

Why is Oral Hygiene So Important?

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, causes greater tooth loss in those over 35 than cavities do. Adults are impacted at some point in three out of every four lives. Daily use of proper brushing and flossing techniques is the best defense against cavities and periodontal disease.

Bacterial plaque is the source of tooth damage and periodontal disease. A white coating called plaque adheres to your teeth along the gum line. Your teeth continue producing plaque. These bacteria can be eliminated and periodontal disease can be prevented by careful daily brushing and flossing.

How to Brush

It is recommended by Dr. Patel to utilize a soft to medium toothbrush. Where your gums and teeth meet, turn the brush at a 45-degree angle. Brush the exterior surfaces of your teeth many times in a gentle circular motion with small, gentle strokes. When placing a toothbrush between the teeth, press lightly—don’t apply so much pressure that it causes pain.

Once you have cleaned all of your teeth’s outside surfaces, clean the inside of your back teeth using the same procedures.

Hold the brush vertically to clean the inside surfaces of the upper and lower front teeth. Over each tooth, apply a few light back-and-forth strokes. Remember to give the surrounding gum tissue a light brushing as well.

Next, use short, light strokes to clean the biting surfaces of your teeth. To clean every surface, adjust the brush’s location as often as needed. Make sure you clean every surface by trying to look at yourself in the mirror. After brushing, give the area an extensive wash to get rid of any plaque that may have come loose.

If you have any pain while brushing or have any questions about how to brush properly, please be sure to call the office at Mt. Vernon NY Office Phone Number914-668-3341.

How to Floss?

Usually, periodontal disease develops in the spaces between teeth that are accessible to your toothbrush. Plaque can be effectively removed from certain surfaces by flossing. It’s crucial to establish the right technique, though. You’ll find the directions below helpful, but keep in mind that practice and patience are required.

Start with roughly eighteen inches of floss (waxed is easier). Gently loop the majority of the floss around one hand’s middle finger. Tie the remaining floss around the other hand’s middle finger.

Hold the floss tightly between each hand’s thumb and fingers to clean the top teeth. Make sure the floss fits tightly between the teeth by moving the floss back and forth. Never try to snap the floss into place or apply force to it. After bringing the floss up to the gum line, form a C-shape against a single tooth. Once you encounter only slight resistance, slide it into the crack between the gum and the tooth. On the side of a single tooth, move the floss up and down. Keep in mind that each space requires cleaning of two tooth surfaces. Keep brushing every side of the top teeth. Take care not to sever the gums that connect your teeth.

Use both hands’ forefingers to guide the floss as you brush between the bottom teeth. Remember to include the posterior side of the final tooth on both the upper and lower sides.

After finishing, give the area a full water rinse to get rid of any leftover food and plaque. If your gums bleed or get a bit uncomfortable during the first week of flossing, don’t panic. You might be squeezing the gums or flossing too forcefully if your gums pain while you’re doing it. Your gums will heal and the bleeding should stop when you floss every day and get rid of the plaque.

Caring for Sensitive Teeth

Sometimes after dental treatment, teeth are sensitive to hot and cold. This should not last long, but only if the mouth is kept clean. If the mouth is not kept clean the sensitivity will remain and could become more severe. If your teeth are especially sensitive consult with your doctor. They may recommend a medicated toothpaste or mouth rinse made especially for sensitive teeth.

Choosing Oral Hygiene Products

There are so many items available that it can be confusing and difficult to choose one over the other. These recommendations will help you select dental care items that are suitable for the majority of your patients.

For most patients, automatic and advanced electronic toothbrushes are safe and effective. Plaque cannot be removed by oral irrigators, but they will completely rinse your mouth. The irrigator must be used in conjunction with brushing and flossing. With electric toothbrushes like Rotadent and Interplak, we get great results.

A rubber tip on the handle of certain toothbrushes is used to massage the gums after brushing. Interproximal toothbrushes are little brushes that are used to clean in between your teeth. Consult to your doctor about how to use them properly as incorrect use could cause gum damage.

When combined with brushing and flossing, fluoride toothpaste and mouthwashes can prevent tooth decay by up to 40%. Recall that children younger than six should not use these rinses. Although gum disease begins below the gum line, tartar-control toothpastes have not been shown to lessen gum disease in its early stages. However, they will reduce plaque above the gum line.

The American Dental Association has approved anti-plaque rinses, which contain ingredients that may help manage early gum disease. In addition to brushing and flossing, use these.

Professional Cleaning

Dental calculus can be minimized by brushing and flossing daily, but a professional cleaning will get rid of the calculus that your toothbrush and floss have missed. A vital part of your gum protection treatment is your visit to our clinic. Keep your teeth for the rest of your life.