Advanced Dental Care

BRUSHING AND FLOSSING

Why Brush and floss?

Brushing and flossing everyday will help keep your teeth and gums healthy. Having clean teeth also makes you look and feel better. Your breath is fresher. Your smile is brighter. And your teeth feel smooth.

Fighting plaque

Many kinds of bacteria live in your mouth. these germs collect on your teeth and gums and quickly form a sticky film called plaque. Plaque is the major cause of tooth decay and gum disease. Since plaque is always forming, it needs to be removed every day. Brushing removes plaque from the surfaces of your teeth. Flossing breaks up nplaque between your teeth and under your gums.

Plaque collects on your teeth, in the spaces between your teeth, and under your gums.

Brushing removes plaque from the surfaces of your teeth.		Flossing breaks up plaque between your teeth and under your gums.
How to brush Brush after meals, using a soft brush and a fluoride toothpaste. Start at one place and work all the way around your mouth. Brush the front, back, and top of each tooth as shown below :
Hold the brush 450 angle and gently brush the outer surfaces, using a circular or back-and-forth motion.
Brush the inner surfaces of the back teeth using the same circular or back-and-forth motion.
Turn the brush and use the tip to clean the inner surfaces of the upper and lower front teeth.
Clean the chewing surfaces ueing a scrubbing motion. Brush your tongue, then rinse well.
How To Floss Floss at least once a day to remove plaque between the teeth and below the gums. Start at one place and work all the way around your mouth. Floss between each tooth as shown below:
Wrap 18 inches of floss around your middle fingers. Secure it with your index fingers and thumbs.
Ease the floss between your teeth. Press it against one side, then the other, to form a C-shape.
Work the floss back and forth and up and down, going below the gum line where plaque collects.
Note : If you have a bridge or wear braces, use a floss threader to get the floss under the bridge or the wires.
Special Aids Your dentist may recommend using these or other dental aids. They can be helpful if you have sensitive teeth, gum disease, bridges, implants, or braces, or if you have trouble gripping the toothbrush or floss.
	Interdental brushes clean large spaces between teeth.
	Electric toothbrushes are easier to hold, nad move the brush for you.
	Floss holders help you get into hard to reach places.
	Floss threaders help you get under braces or bridgework.
	Special floss with a foam or gauze coating gets into tight spaces more easily.
	Oral irrigators use water pressure to help flush out food.
	Interdental cleaners and dental picks help loosen food and plaque between teeth.
	Gum stimulators help massage and firm up gums.
Tips for Healthy Teeth Along with daily brushing and flossing, getting regular dental checkups and eating a good diet will help you keep your gums healthy and your teeth free of decay.
See your dentist regularly to have your teeth and gums cleaned and checked. Get into a routine for brushing and flossing. Brush after meals and floss at least once a day. Use a fluoride toothpaste to help fight decay. Avoid snacking on sugary foods. Eat fruits and vegetables and sugar-free cereals and crackers instead.