

Your car comes with a maintenance manual that tells you when to get an oil change, rotate the tires, and perform other necessary tasks. By following the manual's directions you can keep your car running in good condition for many years. Too bad a manual doesn't come with your teeth and gums!
Such a manual would concentrate on a few basic tasks we call oral hygiene and teeth cleanings. Both tasks are mainly dedicated to removing dental plaque or biofilm from the surfaces of your teeth and the surrounding gums. Plaque is now referred to as a biofilm, a film composed of bacteria, that naturally forms in your mouth. Studies have shown that dental plaque causes periodontal disease (gum disease) and dental caries (tooth decay).
Tips for Daily Removal of Dental Plaque
The way you hold your toothbrush is crucial to your ability to remove plaque effectively. We recommend that you hold it in your fingertips as you would a pen or pencil. Use small motions and pressure. Brushing too hard can damage gum tissues. Use a soft bristled brush, hold it at about a 45 degree angle to the gum line and then use a gentle scrubbing motion. Studies have shown some electric toothbrushes to be more efficient at plaque removal than hand-held brushes; but in general how you use the brush is more important than what kind of brush it is.
To remove plaque deposits from the hard-to-reach areas between your teeth, floss at least once a day. Wrap the floss around each tooth surface and gently move it up and down for a few strokes, cleaning the sides of your teeth where they face each other.
You can use an antibacterial mouthrinse to get help reduce the bacterial plaque or biofilm that you missed in brushing and flossing.
The best way to make sure you are brushing correctly is to have a dental professional demonstrate for you. We would be happy to demonstrate the correct techniques in your own mouth so that you can see how it feels, and you can copy the methods we use.
Professional Maintenance Schedule
Your car needs to go into the shop from time to time for professional maintenance. Your teeth also need a regular schedule of maintenance from a professional dentist or hygienist. Over time, plaque that you do not manage to clean off your teeth accumulates and forms hard deposits called calculus or tartar. If left on your teeth these deposits cause inflammation of your gum tissues and can lead to infection, abscesses, and even tooth loss. During a professional cleaning a technique called scaling removes these substances. For more advanced forms of gum disease, root planing is used to remove deposits of calculus below the gum line.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment to discuss your questions about oral hygiene. You can also learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Oral Hygiene Behavior.”
Comments:
Our Office
Gina Piccioni, D.M.D. and John G. Hartmann, D.D.S.
River Forest, IL Dentist
River Forest Dental StudioOur Blog
Archive:
- 2021
- 2020
- November (5)
- What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?
- The Different Types of Cosmetic Dentistry
- That Energy Drink You Take for a Boost Might Be Hurting Your Dental Health
- A Mild NSAID May Be All You Need To Manage Discomfort After Dental Work
- You Don't Need to Pass a Football Like Patrick Mahomes to Remove a Loose Baby Tooth
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2013
- 2012
- 2011
- 2010
Tags
- wisdom teeth (5)
- cosmetic dentistry (40)
- smile makeover (11)
- pediatric dentistry (15)
- thumb sucking (3)
- sinus surgery (1)
- dental implants (20)
- teeth whitening (11)
- veneers (20)
- oral health (59)
- root canal (6)
- baby teeth (2)
- crowns (5)
- oral hygiene (33)
- bad breath (6)
- common symptoms (8)
- tooth decay (19)
- sports dentistry (4)
- mouthguards (12)
- dental injuries (7)
- brushing (1)
- missing tooth (3)
- replacing teeth (3)
- dental implant (7)
- oral sedation (1)
- sedation dentistry (3)
- dental anxiety (3)
- snoring and sleep apnea (1)
- bonding (2)
- chipped tooth (5)
- tooth colored fillings (2)
- fillings (3)
- tmd (3)
- tmj (3)
- chewing gum (2)
- xylitol (1)
- celebrity smiles (65)
- nightguard (1)
- grinding teeth (1)
- sealants (2)
- sensitive teeth (3)
- dentures (8)
- periodontal (gum) disease (2)
- dental injury (7)
- dental emergency (3)
- sleep apnea (2)
- snoring (2)
- prepless veneers (1)
- tooth loss (2)
- bone grafting (4)
- tongue scraper (1)
- dental health tips (1)
- dental emergencies (4)
- dental hygienist (1)
- dental hygiene (3)
- periodontal disease (4)
- gum disease (15)
- diabetic (1)
- oral cancer (1)
- heart disease (2)
- tooth decay quiz (1)
- cambra (1)
- fun dental facts (1)
- nutrition (7)
- sugar (1)
- power bleaching (1)
- pediatric care (2)
- pregnancy (1)
- tooth wear (1)
- grinding (1)
- loose dentures (2)
- overdenture (2)
- crown (1)
- teeth grinding (3)
- cracked tooth syndrome (1)
- tooth sensitivity (1)
- invisalign (1)
- clear aligners (3)
- orthodontics (4)
- braces (9)
- orthodontic treatment (18)
- dental specialists (1)
- athletic mouthguards (1)
- tooth grinding (1)
- partial dentures (1)
- ulcers (1)
- canker sores (1)
- Dental Implant Restoration (1)
- First Dental Visit (1)
- cosmetic gum surgery (2)
- x-rays (1)
- retainers (3)
- Whiter (1)
- tooth extraction (2)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- mouth sores (2)
- dental bonding (2)
- reshaping (1)
- contouring (1)
- gummy smile (2)
- tmj disorders (1)
- root canal treatment (7)
- laser dentistry (1)
- bacteria (1)
- fluoride (2)
- flossing (1)
- chipped teeth (1)
- toothpaste (1)
- dental crowns (3)
- restorative dentistry (1)
- tooth contouring (1)
- tooth reshaping (1)
- diabetes (1)
- antibiotics (1)
- topical fluoride (1)
- tooth pain (3)
- porcelain veneers (4)
- cancer treatment (1)
- toothbrush (2)
- extractions (3)
- retainer (1)
- loose tooth (3)
- Removable Dentures (1)
- Missing Teeth (2)
- shingles (1)
- Emergency Dentist (1)
- gum surgery (1)
- teeth wear (1)
- lingual braces (2)
- gum recession (2)
- dry mouth (2)
- bridge (2)
- gerd (1)
- removable partial denture (1)
- smoking (1)
- dental care (1)
- partial denture (1)
- Dental Visits (1)
- Dental Check-up (1)