Family and Cosmetic Dentistry
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Oral Hygiene Tips and Recommendations
Toothbrushes
Angled heads, raised bristles, oscillating tufts and handles that change colors with use: you name it, toothbrushes come in all shapes, colors and sizes, promising to perform better than the rest. But no body of scientific evidence exists yet to show that any one type of toothbrush design is better at removing plaque than another. The only thing that matters is that you brush your teeth. Many just don't brush long enough. Most people brush less than a minute, but to effectively reach all areas and scrub off cavity-causing bacteria, it is recommended to brush for two to three minutes.
Which toothbrush is best?
In general, a toothbrush head should be small ( 1"
by 1/2") for easy access. It should have a long, wide handle for a firm grasp.
It should have soft nylon bristles with rounded ends so you won't hurt your
gums.
When should I change my toothbrush?
Be sure to change your toothbrush, or toothbrush
head (if you're using an electric toothbrush) before the bristles become splayed
and frayed. Not only are old toothbrushes ineffective, but they may harbor
harmful bacteria that can cause infection such as ,gingivitis and periodontitis.
Toothbrushes should be changed every three to four months. Sick people should
change their toothbrush at the beginning, of in illness and after they feel
better.
How do I brush?
Place the toothbrush beside your teeth at a
45-degree angle and rub back-and-forth gently. Brush outside the teeth, inside
the tooth, your tongue, and especially brush on chewing surfaces and between
teeth. Be sure to brush at least twice a day, especially after meals.
Click Here For Brushing And Flossing Instructions
Electric vs. manual toothbrushes?
Electric toothbrushes don't work that much better
than manual toothbrushes, but they do motivate some reluctant brushers to clean
their teeth more often. The whizzing sounds of an electric toothbrush and the
tingle of the rotary tufts swirling across teeth and gums often captivates
people who own electric toothbrushes. They are advantageous because they can
cover more area faster. Electric toothbrushes are recommended for people who
have limited manual dexterity, such as a disabled or elderly person and those
who wear braces.
Sometimes, it takes more time and effort to use an electric toothbrush because batteries must be recharged, and it must be cleaned after even, use. Most electric toothbrushes have rechargeable batteries that take 10 to 45 minutes to recharge. The gearing in an electric toothbrush occasionally must be lubricated with water. Prices range from $30 to $99.
How do electrics work?
Electric toothbrushes generally work by using tufts
of nylon bristles to stimulate gums and clean teeth in an oscillating or rotary
motion. Some tufts are arranged in a circular pattern, while others have the
traditional shape of several bristles I lined up on a row.
When first using an electric toothbrush. expect some bleeding from your gums. The bleeding will stop when you learn to control the brush and your gums become healthier. Children under 10 should be supervised when using, an electric toothbrush. Avoid mashing the tufts against your teeth in an effort to clean them. Use light force and slow movements, and allow the electric bristle action to do its job.
How long have toothbrushes been used?
The first toothbrush was invented in China in 1000
A.D. It was an ivory-handled toothbrush with bristles made from a horse's mane.
Toothbrushes became popular in the 19th century among the Victorian affluent.
Mass marketing and the advent of nylon bristles in the 20th century made
toothbrushes inexpensive and available to everyone.
Don't forget... Visit your dentist regularly because toothbrushing and flossing is most effective with periodic checkups and cleanings.
Toothpaste
Why is brushing with toothpaste important?
Brushing with toothpaste (also called a
"dentifrice") is important for several reasons. First and foremost, a toothpaste
and a correct brushing action work to remove plaque, a sticky, harmful film of
bacteria that grows on your teeth that causes caries, gum disease, and eventual
tooth loss if not controlled. Second, the toothpaste contains fluoride, which
makes the entire tooth structure more resistant to decay and promotes
remineralization, which aids in repairing early decay before the damage can even
be seen. Third, special ingredients in the dentifrice help to clean and polish
the teeth and remove stains over time. Fourth, toothpastes help freshen breath
and leave your mouth with a clean feeling.
What type of toothpaste should I use?
As long as your toothpaste contains fluoride, the
brand you buy really does not matter, whether or not it is in paste, gel, or
even powder form, or containing a certain flavor. All fluoride dentifrices work
effectively to fight plaque and cavities and clean and polish tooth enamel. Your
dentifrice brand should also bear the ADA
(American Dental Association) seal of approval on the container, which means
that adequate evidence of safety and efficacy have been demonstrated in
controlled clinical trials.
If your teeth are hypersensitive to hot or cold, consider trying a dentifrice designed for sensitive teeth Dentifrices containing baking soda and/or hydrogen peroxide (which are both good cleansing agents) give the teeth and mouth a clean, fresh, pleasant feeling that can offer an incentive to brush more, but fluoride is the true active ingredient at work protecting your teeth. Some prefer a tartar control toothpaste containing pyrophosphates to prevent the buildup of soft calculus deposits on their teeth. New pastes offer advanced whitening formulas aimed at safely removing stains to make teeth brighter and shinier, although they can't nearly match the effectiveness of a professional bleaching formula administered or prescribed by a dentist.
How much should I use?
Contrary to what toothpaste commercials show, the
amount of paste or gel needed on your brush for effective cleaning does not have
to be a heaping amount. Simply squeeze on a pea-sized dab of paste on the top
half of your brush. If you brush correctly holding the toothbrush at a 45-degree
angle and brush inside, outside and between your teeth, the paste should foam
enough to cover all of your teeth. Children under 6, however, should only be
given a very small, baby pea-sized dab of dentifrice on their brush.
Is brushing with toothpaste enough to
fight cavities and gum disease?
No. Although brushing thoroughly after each meal
helps, flossing your teeth every day to remove plaque and food particles between
teeth and at the gumline is Just as important. Studies show that plaque will
regrow on teeth that are completely clean within 3 to 4 hours of brushing.
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Learn About
Cosmetic Dentistry
.Tooth Anatomy.
Floss
What is Plaque?
Plaque is a sticky layer of material that contains
germs that accumulate on teeth, including places where tooth brushes can't
reach. This can lead to gum disease. The best way to get rid of plaque is to
brush and floss your teeth carefully every day. The tooth brush cleans the tops
and sides of your teeth. Dental floss cleans in between them. Some people use
waterpicks but floss is the best choice.
Should I floss?
Yes. Floss removes plaque and debris that adhere to
teeth and gums in between teeth, polishes tooth surfaces, and controls bad
breath. Floss is the single most important weapon against plaque, perhaps more
important than the toothbrush. Many people just don't spend enough time flossing
or brushing and many have never been taught to floss or brush properly. When you
visit your dentist or hygienist, ask to be shown.
Which type of floss should I use?
Dental floss comes in many forms: waxed and unwaxed,
flavored and unflavored, wide and regular. Wide floss, or dental tape, may be
helpful for people with a lot of bridgework. Tapes are usually recommended when
the spaces between teeth are wide.
They all clean and remove plaque about the same. Waxed floss might be easier to slide between tight teeth or tight restorations. However, the unwaxed floss makes a squeaking sound to let you know your teeth are clean.
Bonded unwaxed floss does not fray as easily as regular unwaxed floss, but does tear more than waxed floss.
How should I floss?
There are two flossing methods: the spool method
and the loop method. The spool method is suited for those with manual dexterity.
Take an 18inch piece of floss and wind the bulk of the floss lightly around the
middle finger. (Don't cut off your finger's circulation!) Wind the rest of the
floss similarly around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger takes
up the floss as it becomes soiled or frayed. Maneuver the floss between teeth
with your index fingers and thumbs. Don't pull it down hard against your gums or
you will hurt them. Don't rub it side to side as if you're shining shoes. Bring
the floss up and down several times forming a "C" shape and be sure to go below
the gum line.
The loop method is suited for children or adults with less nimble hands, poor muscular coordination or arthritis. Take an 18-inch piece of floss, and make it into a circle. Tie it securely with three knots. Place all of the fingers, except the thumb, within the loop. Use your index fingers to guide the floss through the lower teeth, and use your thumbs to guide the floss through the upper teeth.
Click Here For Brushing And Flossing Instructions
How often, should I floss?
At least once a day. To give your teeth a good
flossing, spend at least two or three minutes.
What about floss holders?
You may prefer a prethreaded flosser or floss
holder, which often looks like a little hacksaw. Flossers are handy for people
with limited dexterity, for those who are just beginning to floss, or for
caretakers who are flossing someone else's teeth.
Is it safe to use toothpicks?
In a pinch, toothpicks are effective at removing
food between teeth, but for daily cleaning of plaque between teeth, floss is
recommended. Toothpicks come round and flat, narrow and thick. When you use a
toothpick, don't press too hard or you can damage your gums.
Do I need a waterpick (irrigating device)?
Don't use waterpicks as a substitute for
toothbrushing and flossing. But they are effective around orthodontic braces
that retain food in areas the toothbrush cannot reach. However, they do not
remove plaque.
Waterpicks are frequently recommended for persons with periodontal disease when recommended by your dentist. Solutions containing antibacterial agents like chlorhexidine or tetracycline, available through a dentist's prescription, can be added to the reservoir.
Mouthwash
What types of mouthwash are the best?
There are many different mouthwash brands and types, including the over the counter mouthwashes and the prescription mouthwashes. The important point to remember is that you do not just want to use a mouthwash that makes your mouth feel clean and fresh, you want to use one that does clean your mouth, along with removing the harmful bacteria that causes mouth odors and tastes.
Rinses are usually classified as being either cosmetic or therapeutic, or a combination of the two. Cosmetic mouth rinses are over the counter products that help remove oral debris before or after brushing, temporarily suppress bad breath, diminish bacteria in the mouth and refresh the mouth with a pleasant taste. Therapeutic rinses have the benefits of the cosmetic rinses, but also contain an added active ingredient that helps protect against some oral diseases. Therapeutic rinses are regulated by the FDA and approved by the American Dental Association (ADA).
Rinses can be categorized into:
1. Antiplaque/Antigingivitis Rinses
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Listerine
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Chloraseptic
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Peridex - prescription rinse
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Retardex - prescription rinse
2. Anticavity Rinses
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Act Fluoride
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Fluorigard
3. Cosmetic Breath Rinses
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Cepacol
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Scope
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Signal
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Lavoris
Should I use a mouthwash or rinse?
This depends on your needs. Mouth rinses will freshen the breath temporarily, but most will not help prevent tooth decay or gum disease. So you must be always careful to brush and floss at least twice daily. Thus rinses are not considered substitutes for regular dental examinations and proper home care, but can be used as an extra benefit to help with your oral care.
Which should I use?
That depends on what you like. The mouthwash , over the counter, that I believe works the best is Listerine. Cepacol and Scope are also good products. But don't forget to keep brushing and flossing regularly. We also have Breath Rx products that employ a total system to help fight bad breath and taste odors.
Adjuncts
Coming soon.
"Click Here To See Brushing And Flossing Techniques"
