Dental Facts

How to Brush your Teeth?

• Place the bristles of your toothbrush at the margin of the gums, establishing a 45 degree angle.
• Using gentle vibratory pressure and short back-and-forth motions without dislodging the tip of the bristles make about 20 strokes in the same position.
• Do the same thing around the arch, brushing around three teeth at a time.
• Now, move onto the inner surfaces of the teeth. To help reach the inner surfaces of the front teeth, insert the brush vertically.
• Press the bristles firmly onto the chewing surfaces of the teeth and brush with about 20 back-and-forth strokes.

Alternative Brushing:

Powered toothbrushes can achieve better cleaning efficiency and plaque control. While anybody can use them, they are ideal for:

• Small children, handicapped or hospitalized patients who need to have their teeth cleaned by someone else
• Individuals lacking fine motor skills
• Patients with orthodontic appliances

Flossing

Flossing is a process that removes plaque that forms in between two teeth surfaces.

How to Floss?

• Wind 12″ to 18″ of floss around your two middle fingers of each hand.
• Gently guide the floss between teeth.
• To remove plaque and debris, gently move the floss up and down against the tooth.
• As you move from tooth to tooth, use fresh sections of floss each time.

Mouth Rinsing

Mouth rinses or mouthwashes serve a variety of purposes

• It mask your bad breath
• Fight cavities
• Prevents the building up of plaque, the sticky material that contains germs and can lead to oral diseases.

Therapeutic mouth rinses are of two types according to its use:

• Anti-plaque / anti-gingivitis rinses
• Anti-cavity fluoride rinses.

How to rinse your mouth using a mouthwash ?

• Brush and floss your teeth, before using a mouthwash.
• Measure the proper quantity of rinse recommended on the container or by a dentist.
• Swish liquid around the mouth, keeping lips closed and teeth slightly apart.
• Thirty seconds is the recommended rinsing time.
• Then spit the liquid from mouth thoroughly.
• Do not rinse, eat, or smoke for next thirty minutes after using a mouthwash. Doing so will reduce the effects of the mouthwash.

Bad breath

There are many causes of bad breath (Halitosis). It may be the result of odor-causing foods, tooth decay, periodontal disease, mouth dryness, use of tobacco products, sinus or respiratory tract infections, some systemic disorders, inadequate oral hygiene or some medications.

Your dentist can help recognize the cause and, if it’s due to an oral condition, can plan a treatment to get rid of this common source of embarrassment.