DAILY CARE OF TEETH AND GUMS
The typical daily
routine that we prescribe is:
AM- Immediate after breakfast (or upon wakening, if you don’t eat breakfast),
brush the chewing surfaces of the teeth and the tongue using a small amount of
toothpaste and a soft toothbrush. Follow
this by carefully brushing the inside and outside surfaces of the teeth and
gums for two minutes on the upper arch, and two minutes on the lower arch. Many of our patients use the Sonicare® battery-powered toothbrush; this system takes a lot of the guesswork out of
proper brushing.
Lunch – Most people are pressed for time at lunch. If you don’t have time to
brush and floss, drink water and chew sugarless gum, or rinse with mouth rinse.
PM / evening-
1. FLOSS FIRST. Wrap the dental floss
in a C-Shape around the tooth, and floss up and down until the tooth “squeaks,”
frequently wrapping the floss to a fresh section. The floss should move between the teeth
without sticking or shredding. If this
occurs, try waxed floss or check with your dentist to make sure you do not have
any broken fillings or decay.
2. Use a Sonicare® for four minutes without toothpaste. Tilt the brush at a 45 degree angle, and brush “into” the gums where
they meet the teeth. After four minutes,
run your tongue over the tooth surfaces; if they feel rough, re-brush.
3. For patients with periodontal
pockets, use a rubber-tip gum stimulator. Available in most pharmacies, this is a small
rubber point on the end of a handle, or a pocket-sized device the size of a
toothpick. Dip the rubber tip into
baking soda, and trace all around the gumline and in
between the teeth, applying steady pressure.
Last thing before bed – Brush your teeth using a manual, soft toothbrush dipped in backing
soda to polish the teeth; this will also decrease the pH in your mouth. Taking
preventive measures before bedtime is critical; during sleep the mouth dries
out, creating the perfect haven for growing bacteria!
Is there anything else you can use to clean your mouth?
There are many dental aids that can help in challenging area; such as
floss threaders for bridgework, or flossing devices
for hard-to-reach areas.
A mouth rinse, in addition to daily brushing and flossing, can
increase the cleanliness of your mouth. Antimicrobial mouth rinses, especially chlorhexidine, reduce bacteria and plaque activity, which
cause gingivitis and gum disease. Fluoride mouth rinses help reduce and prevent
tooth decay. However, this form of fluoride is not recommended for children
ages 6 or younger because they may swallow it.
Kim Henry, D.M.D.
|
