Adults over 35 lose more teeth to gum diseases (periodontal disease) than from cavities. Three out of four adults are affected at some time in their life. The best way to prevent cavities and periodontal disease is by good tooth brushing and flossing techniques, performed daily.
Periodontal disease and decay are both caused by bacterial plaque. Plaque is a colorless film, which sticks to your teeth at the gum line. Plaque constantly forms on your teeth. By thorough daily brushing and flossing you can remove these germs and help prevent periodontal disease.
If you experience pain while brushing or have questions about your technique, please contact LoLo Dental at 604-988-5014.
We recommend using a soft or medium-bristled toothbrush. Position the brush at a 45-degree angle where the gums and teeth meet. Using small circular motions and gentle pressure, brush the outer surfaces of your teeth.
Once the outer surfaces are clean, repeat the same technique on the inside surfaces of the back teeth.
For the inside surfaces of the upper and lower front teeth, hold the brush vertically and use several gentle up-and-down strokes on each tooth. Be sure to brush the surrounding gum tissue gently as well.
Finally, brush the chewing surfaces of your teeth with short, gentle strokes. Adjust the angle of the brush as needed to reach all surfaces. Rinse thoroughly when finished to remove loosened plaque and debris.
Plaque and bacteria often accumulate between teeth where a toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing helps remove buildup from these areas and is an important part of daily oral hygiene.
Start with about 18 inches of floss (waxed floss is often easier to use). Wrap most of the floss around the middle finger of one hand and the remainder around the middle finger of the other hand.
For the upper teeth, hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers. Gently guide it between the teeth with a back-and-forth motion. Avoid snapping the floss into place. Curve the floss into a C-shape against one tooth and slide it gently beneath the gumline until you feel light resistance. Move the floss up and down along the side of the tooth, then repeat on the adjacent tooth surface.
For the lower teeth, use your forefingers to guide the floss. Be sure to clean behind the last tooth on each side of both the upper and lower arches.
After flossing, rinse thoroughly with water to remove plaque and food particles. If your gums bleed or feel tender during the first week of flossing, this is often a sign of existing inflammation. With gentle daily flossing, the bleeding should decrease as the gums become healthier.
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.
There are so many products on the market it can become confusing and choosing between all the products can be difficult. Here are some suggestions for choosing dental care products that will work for most patients.
Automatic and “high-tech” electronic toothbrushes are safe and effective for the majority of the patients. 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. We see excellent results with electric toothbrushes called Rotadent and Interplak.
Some toothbrushes have a rubber tip on the handle, this is used to massage the gums after brushing. There are also tiny brushes (interproximal toothbrushes) that clean between your teeth. If these are used improperly you could injure the gums, so discuss proper use with your doctor.
Fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses, if used in conjunction with brushing and flossing, can reduce tooth decay as much as 40%. Remember, these rinses are not recommended for children under six years of age. Tartar control toothpastes will reduce tartar above the gum line, but gum disease starts below the gum line so these products have not been proven to reduce the early stage of gum disease.
Anti-plaque rinses, approved by the American Dental Association, contain agents that may help bring early gum disease under control. Use these in conjunction with brushing and flossing.
Daily brushing and flossing will keep dental calculus to a minimum, but a professional dental cleaning will remove calculus in places your toothbrush and floss have missed. Your visit to our office is an important part of your program to prevent gum disease. Keep your teeth for your lifetime.
