How to Floss
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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. 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 forefinger 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. 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.
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Choosing Oral Hygiene Products
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Nutrition
Good nutrition plays a large role in your dental health. A balanced diet will help to boost your body’s immune system, leaving you less vulnerable to oral disease.
How often and what you eat have been found to affect your dental health. Eating starchy foods such as crackers, bread, cookies and candy causes the bacteria in your mouth to multiply, and then produce acids, which attack your teeth for up to 20 minutes or more. In addition, foods that stick to your teeth or are slow to dissolve give the acids more time to work on destroying your tooth enamel.
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Choosing the right oral hygiene products is an important step to a healthy smile. Some options we recommend are:
Automatic, electronic toothbrushes are safe and effective for the majority of patients. We see excellent results with electric toothbrushes like the Sonicare.
Oral Irrigators (water spraying devices) will rinse your mouth thoroughly, but will not remove plaque. You need to brush and floss in conjunction with the irrigator.
Interproximal toothbrushes, which clean between your teeth, can be effective in preventing gum disease. Discuss proper use with your doctor or hygienist.
Fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinse, if used in conjunction with brushing and flossing, can reduce tooth decay as much as 40%
Anti-plaque rinses contain agents that may bring early gum disease under control. Use these in conjunction with brushing and flossing.
The team at Southern Heights Dental Group is highly skilled in helping you select the most appropriate and effective products for your personal oral health. You can find the recommended products in our Oral Hygiene Products store.
Caring for Sensitive Teeth
Sometimes after dental treatment, teeth are sensitive to hot and cold. This should not last long 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.
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While brushing the outside surfaces of your teeth, 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. When you are done cleaning the outside surfaces of all your teeth, follow the same directions while cleaning the inside of the back teeth.