Correct Flossing Technique
Most cavities and periodontal disease begin between the teeth. While brushing is important, the bristles of your brush simply can't reach between the teeth.
To keep your gums and teeth healthy, you must remove the plaque between your teeth at least once a day. That's why our Houston dentist recommends dental floss.
Don't worry about the type of floss; they all work pretty much the same.
Wind about 18 inches of floss around the middle fingers of each hand, leaving about 5 inches between your hands. Pinch the floss between your thumbs and index fingers and leave about one inch in between to work with. Gently guide the floss down between the teeth, using a side-to-side motion.
If your teeth are too tight to floss, or if the floss catches or tears, let our Houston dentist know about it. These are problems that need to be fixed.
To receive maximum benefits from flossing, use the following proper technique:
Starting with about 18 inches of floss, wind most of the floss around each middle finger, leaving an inch or two of floss to work with
Holding the floss tautly between your thumbs and index fingers, slide it gently up-and-down between your teeth
Gently curve the floss around the base of each tooth, making sure you go beneath the gumline. Never snap or force the floss, as this may cut or bruise delicate gum tissue
Use clean sections of floss as you move from tooth to tooth
To remove the floss, use the same back-and-forth motion to bring the floss up and away from the teeth
ull the floss tightly into a C shape around the side of the tooth and slide it under the gum line. Clean the surface of the tooth by using an up-and-down motion, not side-to-side, until the surface is clean.
When all the plaque has been removed, the floss will squeak as it rubs against your teeth. Pull the floss around the next tooth and repeat the process. Wind the floss to a fresh section and gradually work your way around your mouth, cleaning both sides of every tooth.
If you have problems reaching some areas, you might want to use a floss fork. If your gums are infected, they'll bleed when you floss. That's to be expected if you are just beginning to floss. After a week or so of regular flossing the bleeding should go away.
Now you know why brushing your teeth is only half the battle. Most cavities and periodontal disease start between the teeth where your toothbrush just can't reach.
Why is developing good dental hygiene important?
Dental hygieneDeveloping good dental hygiene is extremely important in fighting against dental problems such as dental caries, gum disease and halitosis, which are mostly the result of an accumulation of dental plaque and dental calculus.
Dental plaque and dental calculus
Dental plaque is a white-ish substance that develops every day, and adheres to teeth. It is mostly found on the gum line, or in between teeth. It is composed mainly of microscopic bacteria, food, and saliva, and it matures and becomes a problem if one eats a carbohydrate and sugar rich diet (source of nutrition for bacteria) or does not adequately clean their teeth.
Dental calculus is a form of hardened dental plaque and is caused by the continual accumulation of minerals from saliva. It causes a roughened and hard covering over the tooth, which allows more plaque to adhere to teeth, and potentially cause or exacerbate problems.
The problems of dental plaque and dental calculus
Dental caries(tooth decay)
Tooth decay occurs when small holes (cavities) form in the tooth due to the accumulation of dental plaque. When the sugar and carbohydrates that are a part of our diet comes into contact with plaque, the result is acid formation. Over time, if the combination of plaque and an acidic environment is left to occur, tooth decay will result.
Gum disease
Gum disease refers to any infection or inflammation of the gums surrounding the teeth, although it is mostly a result of an accumulation of dental plaque. Healthy gums are pink and do not hurt or bleed when brushed. Unhealthy gums are open to the bacteria in plaque causing an inflammation called gingivitis. Gingivitis is a reversible condition, in that if the plaque is removed completely, the problem will solve itself. If the tissues that connect the teeth to the gums (bone, ligaments etc.) become involved, then it is called periodontitis - this step is irreversible.
Bad breath (halitosis)
Halitosis, the technical term for bad breath, is also often the result of unhealthy plaque build up. Halitosis can be a result of many medical conditions. Dental plaque-related halitosis results when the gums become infected or inflamed due to the bacteria in plaque. Keeping the teeth and gums clean, and even brushing the tongue may prevent this condition.
How to maintain good dental hygiene
Good dental hygiene means getting into the routine of thoroughly cleaning the mouth at least once or twice a day, though preferably after every meal. The following discussion considers some important aspects of keeping teeth clean such as brushing, flossing, mouthwashes, and other adjuncts to maintaining good dental health.
Brushing
Brushing teeth for two full minutes with fluoride toothpaste and a brush that is small enough to manoeuvre around the inside, outside and top of every tooth in the mouth is considered necessary. Consider listening to an entire song whilst brushing teeth - this will be the appropriate time needed to clean teeth. Replacing a brush every three months has also been shown to be more effective in maintaining good dental health.
When buying a manual toothbrush, use one with soft bristles as this will protect gums from damage to a greater extent. Studies have shown that brushing harder will not remove more dental plaque. Consider investing in an electric toothbrush if more help is needed and it is difficult to use a manual toothbrush. The novelty of a fancy new toothbrush is motivation alone to brush more.
How to brush Press gently at a 45-degree angle. Scrub the side closest to the cheek (of the tooth and gum) for a few seconds using a small circular/vibratory motion. In the same manner, move slowly around your mouth until you get to the other side. Pay particular attention to the gum line.
Once on the other side of the mouth, rotate the brush so that it rests against the tooth and gum (on the side closest to your tongue), and use the same angle and same circular scrubbing motion to return to the first tooth. Next, briskly brush along the top surface of the teeth. Then repeat the entire process on the upper or lower set of teeth (depending on start position). Do not neglect the roof of the mouth and tongue, as these places also harbor bacteria.
Try to only spit out the toothpaste, rather than rinsing it all out after brushing, as this will reduce the effect of the fluoride in toothpaste.
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