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Why Good Oral Hygiene Matters
A program of good oral hygiene is essential to your smile, just like regular maintenance is crucial for your car. It keeps everything working and looking great, preventing many common dental issues before they even start.
Highbridge Dental Associates has prepared the following to assist you in practicing good oral hygiene.
Flossing
Flossing is just as important as brushing, if not more so. To floss correctly, gently insert the floss between your teeth, forming a C-shape around each tooth. Move the floss up and down several times, making sure to extend it below the gum line.
Brushing
- Rotadent or Electric Toothbrush: The Rotadent has proven to be far more effective than any manual or electric toothbrush in maintaining dental health. If you're interested in learning more about the advantages of the Rotadent, click here.
- Manual Brushing: If you use a manual toothbrush, choose one with a small head (1” to ½”) and soft, rounded bristles. Apply a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, preferably ADA-approved and recommended by your dentist. Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle and gently brush up and down, working in small sections. Don't forget to brush your tongue for a fresh mouth feel.
Tip: Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months, or sooner if the bristles become worn out. Make sure to change it after you’ve had a cold to avoid bacteria buildup.
Rinsing
There are two main types of mouth rinses: prescription and over-the-counter. Prescription rinses are typically recommended for specific oral diseases, while general-use rinses help with food particles, bacteria, and bad breath. After rinsing, avoid eating, drinking, or smoking for about 30 minutes to get the best results.
How Often and How Long Should You Floss, Brush, and Rinse?
- You should floss for 2 to 3 minutes after every meal and snack, or at least twice a day.
- You should brush your teeth for 3 to 4 minutes after every meal and snack, or at least twice a day.
- If you are unable to floss and brush after a meal or snack, thoroughly rinse your mouth with water.
- Water rinsing in the absence of flossing and brushing may be supplemented with sugarless gum containing Xylitol, which reduces bacteria and buffers against acid.
- You should rinse your mouth for 30 seconds after every flossing and brushing session.
- After eating acidic foods such as citrus fruits and tomatoes, rinse your mouth with water and wait at least 30 minutes before brushing to avoid brushing acid into your teeth.
Oral Hygiene for Children
Good oral care should start early. Even before their first teeth emerge, parents should gently wipe an infant’s mouth with a washcloth or gauze pad to prevent plaque and bacteria buildup.
- Toddler Brushes: Small children should use a “toddler brush” designed to prevent swallowing.
- Toothpaste: For children under 6, only a baby-pea sized amount of toothpaste is necessary. They should not be given fluoride rinses.
Professional Oral Hygiene
Recarez
Even the most exacting personal oral hygiene is not sufficient to protect your dental health and maintain your “Dream Smile”. Only a trained hygienist with advanced professional equipment in a biannual or, if needed, more frequent Professional Dental Cleaning or “Recare” can perform the diagnostic, preventive, and aesthetic procedures that are essential for your dental health and “Dream Smile”.
Indeed, without regular Recares you risk stains, gum disease, bone loss, and even oral cancer that cannot be detected and addressed by personal oral hygiene. Click here for details on this vital dental procedure.
Soft Tissue Management
Much like the Recare, essential elements of our Soft Tissue Management system, including periodontal examinations, removal of tartar and calculus through scaling and root planing with the Cavitron Jet Plus, and Arestin and fluoride treatments cannot be achieved through personal oral hygiene. The health of your teeth and gum tissues depends on both good personal oral hygiene and STM. Click here for details on this important dental system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just brush and skip flossing?
While brushing is crucial, it only cleans the surface of your teeth. Flossing is needed to clean between your teeth and along the gum line, where plaque buildup often occurs.
What is a professional dental cleaning or "Recare"?
A professional cleaning, or Recare, is a thorough cleaning performed by our hygienists. It removes plaque and tartar that brushing and flossing can’t eliminate, helping to prevent gum disease, cavities, and bad breath.
Is it okay to skip brushing after meals if I can’t brush right away?
If you can’t brush immediately after eating, rinse your mouth with water or chew sugarless gum to reduce plaque buildup and freshen your breath. Be sure to brush as soon as possible.
How do I care for my child's oral hygiene?
Even before their first tooth erupts, parents should wipe their baby’s gums with a clean cloth. Once teeth appear, brush with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and a tiny amount of toothpaste. For children under 6, use a baby-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
Why should I replace my toothbrush regularly?
You should replace your toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles are worn. A worn toothbrush is less effective at cleaning your teeth and gums.
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