Oral Hygiene

How to Brush

While brushing the outside surfaces of your teeth, position the brush at a 45-degree angle where your gums and teeth meet. Gently move the brush in a circular motion several times using small, gentle strokes. Use some pressure while putting the bristles between the teeth, but not so much pressure that you feel any discomfort. When you are done cleaning the outside surfaces of all your teeth, follow the same directions while cleaning the inside of the back teeth.

To clean the inside surfaces of the upper and lower front teeth, hold the brush vertically. Make several gentle small circular strokes over each tooth. Don’t forget to gently brush the surrounding gum tissue, you should feel your bristles massaging your gums as you brush.

Next you will clean the biting surfaces of your teeth. To do this, use short, gentle strokes. Change the position of the brush as often as necessary to reach and clean all surfaces. Try to watch yourself in the mirror to make sure you clean each surface. After you are done, rinse vigorously to remove any plaque you might have loosened while brushing.

If you have any pain while brushing or have any questions about how to brush properly, please be sure to call the office.

How to Floss

Periodontal disease usually appears between the teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing is a very effective way to remove plaque from those surfaces. However, it is important to develop the proper technique. The following instructions will help you, but remember it takes time and practice.

Start with a piece of floss (any kind you like) about 18″ long. Lightly wrap most of the floss around the middle finger of one hand. Wrap the rest of the floss around the middle finger of the other hand, or leave loose and hold onto it.

To clean the upper teeth, hold the floss tightly between the thumb and forefinger of each hand. Gently insert the floss tightly between the teeth using an up and down motion. Do not force the floss or try to snap it in to place. Bring the floss to the gum line then curve it into a C-shape (hug it against one tooth). Slide it up and down into the space between the gum and the tooth until you feel light resistance. Move the floss up and down on the side of one tooth, and then lean it towards the other tooth. Remember there are two tooth surfaces that need to be cleaned in each space, on either side of the “v-shaped” gum tissue filling the space between your teeth. Continue to floss each side of all the upper teeth. Be careful not to cut the gum tissue between the teeth. As the floss becomes soiled, turn from one finger to the other to get a fresh section.

To clean between the bottom teeth, guide the floss using the forefinger of both hands. Do not forget the back side of the last tooth on both sides, upper and lower.

When you are done, rinse vigorously with water to remove plaque and food particles. Do not be alarmed if during the first week of flossing your gums bleed or are a little sore. If your gums hurt while flossing you could be doing it too hard or pinching the gum. As you floss daily and remove the plaque your gums will heal and the bleeding should stop.

Caring For Sensitive Teeth

Sometimes after dental treatment, teeth are sensitive to hot and cold. If the mouth is kept clean, this sensitivity should not last long. However, if the mouth is not kept clean, the sensitivity will remain and could become more severe. If your teeth are especially sensitive, consult with Drs. Cacchillo,  Daniel & Stanger. A medicated toothpaste or mouth rinse made especially for sensitive teeth may be recommended.

Choosing Oral Hygiene Products

There are so many products on the market that choosing the right one can be difficult. Here are some suggestions for selecting dental care products that will work for most patients:

• Automatic and sonic electronic toothbrushes are safe and effective for the majority of users.  Manual toothbrushes are very effective as well.  Some toothbrushes have a rubber tip on the handle that is used to massage the gums after brushing. This stimulator helps increase the blood flow to your gum tissue, which keeps them tighter and firmer.  Ask Drs. Cacchillo & Daniel or their staff what they recommend for you.
• Oral irrigators (water spraying devices such as a Water Pik®) will rinse your mouth thoroughly, but may not remove plaque. You still need to brush and floss in conjunction with the irrigator.
• There are tiny brushes (e.g. interproximal, interdental or proxybrushes) that clean between your teeth. These are very effective in cleaning larger spaces between your teeth in addition to flossing. 
• Tartar control toothpastes will reduce tartar above the gum line, but because gum disease starts below the gum line, these products have not been proven to reduce the early stage of gum disease.  Using a toothpaste that you like will increase your brushing time.  If used in conjunction with brushing and flossing, fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses can reduce tooth decay by as much as 40 percent. Remember, these rinses are not recommended for children under six years of age, as they may swallow the rinse.
• Anti-plaque/bacterial rinses (e.g. Listerine® or Crest Pro Health®), approved by the American Dental Association, contain agents that may help control signs of early gum disease. We recommend using these 2x daily in conjunction with brushing and flossing.

Drs. Cacchillo, Daniel & Stanger and their staff can help you select dental products that fit your individual periodontal needs.