Oral Hygiene Instructions

The best way to avoid cavities, gingivitis, and other dental problems is through oral hygiene. This also helps with bad breath. Everyone needs to brush and clean their teeth regularly to keep their smile healthy! Healthy gums are clean and free of plaque. They should be pink and firm.
 

Oral hygiene involves loving your teeth both at home and by seeing Dr. Jefferson regularly.
 

At-home oral hygiene:

You should brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time. Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on your toothbrush. Aim the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle towards the gum line and use gentle circular motions. Be sure to brush on the inside surfaces of your teeth and to use a light back and forth motion on the chewing surfaces of your molars. Spit the toothpaste out after brushing.

It is important to floss at least once a day. Take an 18-inch piece of floss and wind most of it around one middle finger. Wind the rest of it around the same finger on the other hand. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and index fingers. Use a gentle back and forth motion to slide the floss between your teeth. When the floss reaches your gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it up and down against the side of one tooth.

Professional Care:

Seeing the dentist or dental hygienist regularly is crucial to getting rid of plaque, which can form quickly and in hard-to-reach places, even if you brush and floss regularly. Professional teeth cleaning includes a process called scaling and polishing, which uses different tools to get rid of plaque and tartar buildup.

Depending on your unique oral situation, most dentists recommend getting your teeth cleaned by a professional every 6 months. Those who have a higher susceptibility to periodontal disease or have had it in the past generally require cleanings every 3 to 4 months. For many dental and oral disorders, more frequent cleaning and examination may be necessary. We recommend that you have a routine examination of your teeth at least once every year, which may include taking select dental X-rays. oral hygiene is important for keeping your smile healthy.

Make sure to follow these oral hygiene instructions so you can keep your pearly whites shining!