A beautiful, healthy smile that lasts a lifetime is our ultimate goal when treating our patients.
What does it involve?
Your personal home care plays an important role in achieving that goal. It starts by eating balanced meals, reducing the number of snacks you eat, and correctly using the various dental aids that help control the plaque and bacteria that cause dental disease.
Brushing
Brush your teeth at least twice a day, especially before going to bed at night, with an ADA approved soft bristle toothbrush and toothpaste.
- Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and gently brush using a small, circular motion, ensuring that you always feel the bristles on your gums.
- Brush the outer, inner, and biting surfaces of each tooth.
- Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside of your front teeth.
- Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.
We also recommend Sonicare™ electric toothbrushes. They’re easy to use and can remove plaque efficiently. Simply place the bristles of the toothbrush on your gums and teeth and allow the brush to do its job, several teeth at a time.
Flossing
Daily flossing is the best way to clean between your teeth and under the gum line. Flossing not only helps clean these spaces, but also disrupts plaque colonies from building up, preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone.
- Take 12-16 inches of dental floss and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches of floss between your hands.
- Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently insert the floss between your teeth using a sawing motion.
- Curve the floss into a “C” shape around each tooth and under the gum line, and then gently move the floss up and down, cleaning the side of each tooth.
If you have difficulty using conventional floss, we recommend floss holders.
Rinsing
Rinse your mouth with water after brushing and also after meals if you’re unable to brush. If you’re using an over-the-counter product for rinsing, please consult with Dr. Ochev or one of our registered dental hygienists on its appropriateness for you.
Using other dental aids
Please consult with us on the use of other dental aids. Interdental brushes, rubber tip stimulators, tongue cleaners, irrigation devices, fluoride, medicated rinses, and other aids can all play a role in good dental home care.