Why is oral hygiene so important?
Oral hygiene is important because good tooth brushing and flossing can prevent periodontal disease. If you want to learn more about periodontal disease, please click here.
How to Brush
A soft to medium toothbrush is always recommended by Dr. Honey. The tooth brush should be positioned at a 45 degree angle where the gums and teeth meet. Move the toothbrush in a gentle and circular motion a couple of times using soft and small strokes. Brush the outside surfaces, between the teeth, and inside the back teeth while using light pressure.
Hold the toothbrush vertically to clean the inside surfaces of the upper and lower front teeth. Gently brush the surrounding tissue.
Use short, gentle strokes to clean the biting surfaces of each tooth. After you are finished, make sure and rinse to remove any plaque you may have loosened while brushing.
Please call our office at (847) 362-9700 if you have any questions on how to brush properly or if you have any pain while brushing.
Why Floss
Flossing is an effective way to remove plaque from the surfaces where your toothbrush can’t reach. Get a piece of floss that is about 18” long. Wrap most of the floss around the middle finger of one hand. The rest of the floss needs to be wrapped around the middle finger of the other hand. Don’t be alarmed if your gums bleed the first week of flossing. Once you start flossing daily and removing the plaque, your gums will heal and the bleeding will stop.
Caring for Sensitive Teeth
Teeth can be sensitive to hot and cold after dental treatment. Sometimes sensitivity can occur more frequently, if that’s the case please ask Dr. Honey. A medicated toothpaste or rinse can be made for sensitive teeth.
Choosing Oral Hygiene Products
With so many products being on the market, it can be hard to pick the best one. We recommend electric toothbrushes. Oral irrigators to rinse your mouth thoroughly will provide excellent results.
Fluoride toothpastes can reduce tooth decay as much as 40%. These rinses are not recommended for children under the age of six.
Anti-plaque rinses are approved by the American Dental Association and contain agents that may help early gum disease.
Professional Cleaning
Brushing and flossing your teeth everyday will help keep dental tartar to a minimum. Professional cleaning is always recommended because it can remove tartar in places your toothbrush and floss have missed.
