Dr. Goldenbergs’ goal for you is an attractive and healthy smile that lasts a lifetime. Your personal dental hygiene plays an important role in achieving this goal. It starts by eating sensible meals, reducing the amount of sugary snacks you eat, and properly utilizing the various dental aids that help control plaque and bacteria, which attribute to poor dental health.
Teeth Brushing
Clean your teeth at least twice per day (especially before going to bed at night) with a CDA approved soft bristle brush and toothpaste.
1. Place the brush at a forty-five degree angle to the gums and delicately employing a tiny circular motion, ensuring that you feel the brush bristles mostly on your gums.
2. Brush the outer, inner and biting surface of each tooth.
3. Use the top of the brush to scrub the interior of your front teeth.
4. Brush your tongue to get rid of bacteria and freshen your breath.
Electric toothbrushes are also recommended for maintaining good oral health, they are easy to use and can remove plaque capably. Simply place the bristles of the electrical brush on your gums and teeth and let the brush to do its job, 1 or 2 teeth at a time.
Floss Daily
Flossing is the most effective way to scrub between the teeth and under the gum line, stopping plaque from building up.
To floss, take 12-16 inches of dental floss and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches of floss between your hands.
1. Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, carefully insert the floss between teeth using a delicate sawing motion.
2. Curve the floss into a “C” shape around each tooth and under the gum line. Gently move the floss up and down, cleaning the side of each tooth.
Floss holders are recommended if you have difficulties using standard floss.
Rinsing
It is important wash your mouth with water after brushing, and also after meals if you cannot brush. Using an over the counter product for rinsing, is also a great method for maintaining excellent oral health.