Home Care

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.  Your personal 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.

Tooth brushing – Brush your teeth at least twice a day (especially before going to bed at night) with a soft bristle brush and toothpaste.

  1. Place the brush at a 45 degree angle to the gums and gently brush using a small, circular motion, ensuring that you always feel the bristles on the gums.
  2. Brush the outer, inner, and biting surfaces of each tooth.
  3. Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside of the front teeth.
  4. Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

Electric toothbrushes are highly recommended to effectively remove plaque.  Simply place the bristles of the electric brush on your gums and teeth and allow the brush to do its job.

Flossing – Daily flossing is the best way to clean between the teeth and under the gumline.  Flossing disrupts plaque colonies from building up on your teeth thereby preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone.  Flossing before bedtime is the best time to floss.

  1. Use 12-16 inches of dental floss, wrapping it around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches of floss between your hands.
  2. Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently insert the floss between your teeth using a sawing motion.
  3. 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.

Rinsing – It is important to rinse your mouth with water after brushing and after meals if you are unable to brush.  Consult with your dentist or dental hygienist to discuss the appropriate over-the-counter rinse to use.

Other Oral Hygiene Aids - The use of other dental aids such as Water Flossers, rubber picks and interdental brushes can help maintain good dental health.


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