Dental Tips

• What is Plaque?
• The Correct Way to Brush
• The Correct Way to Floss
• How to Prevent Decay
• How to Prevent Gum Disease

What is Plaque?

Plaque is a bacteria-laden white substance, which forms on the teeth and contributes to tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath. Effective flossing will help remove plaque missed by brushing before it contributes to these harmful effects.

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The Correct way to Brush:

1. Place the head of the toothbrush next to your teeth, with the bristle tips at a 45-degree angle next to the gum line.
2. Move the brush back and forth in a small circular scrubbing motion.
3. Brush the outer surfaces of all teeth, upper and lower. Make sure you keep the bristles angled against your gum line.
4. Now, brush the inside tooth surfaces, using the same brush strokes.
5. To reach the inside surfaces of your front teeth, tilt your brush vertically and use gentle, up and down strokes with the head of the brush.
6. Scrub the chewing surfaces of all back teeth.

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The Correct Way to Floss:

1. Use a piece of dental floss approximately 18 inches long. Wind each end of the floss around your middle fingers.
2. Holding the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers, leave about an inch of floss in between. Use a gentle, back and forth motion to guide the floss in between your teeth. Avoid snapping the floss, which may cause some unnecessary irritation to the gums
3. When the floss is at the gum line, curve it into an arc around each tooth until there is mild resistance.
4. Holding the floss in the arc position, gently slide it up the side of the tooth, making sure the floss goes under the gum. Move the floss up and down (not back and forth) several times to remove the plaque from under the gum.
5. Repeat this procedure on both sides of each tooth.

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How to Prevent Decay:

Dental decay happens when the germs in your mouth eat the sugar you take in to form acids that accumulate on your teeth. The acids literally dissolve the teeth, making the holes we call cavities. As the holes get bigger, they trap more germs, so the cavities continue to grow to the point where an abscess will form if the cavity is not cleaned out and repaired. To help prevent cavities and decay:

1. Daily effective oral hygiene measures at home including brushing, flossing, oral irrigators etc., to remove bacteria, plaque and accumulating acids.
2. Early detection of open crevices on teeth and leaking old fillings to eradicate decay in its earliest stages.
3. Reduction in dietary sugar to minimize the acid making potential of the bacteria that even the best brushing and flossing might miss.
4. Prescription-strength Fluoride treatment to harden the teeth to make them more decay-resistant, for children and adults.
5. Most important, consistent and regular professional dental examinations, cleanings and x-rays when appropriate to keep you apprised of your dental condition, increase home care effectiveness and clean the spots that are hard for you to get.

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How to Prevent Gum Disease:

Gum disease is the most prevalent infection affecting the human race. In addition to damaging the jaw bone and causing the loss of teeth, medical scientists have conclusively proven that gum disease is more than "just a dental problem".

Gum disease is a chronic bacterial infection in the body. A link has been proven between the bacteria and plaque in gum disease and other diseases such as heart attacks and premature births, under-weight babies and spontaneous abortion in pregnant woman.

Gum disease is caused by bacteria build-up between the teeth and under the gum line As long as you have teeth, you need to control bacterial accumulation:

1. Follow our instructions for effective, daily, home, plaque removal including brushing, flossing, oral irrigation, etc.
2. Maintain your general health and resistance by good nutrition, adequate rest and regular exercise.
3. Have regular and consistent dental cleanings and
   examinations. People with a tendency to gum disease, based on below average resistance and above average concentrations of bacteria, need to be seen four times a year to get the same results as more resistant patients get from twice a year cleanings and maintenance visits.
   

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