Dental hygiene
Periodontal Gum Treatments
Good Oral Hygiene
The best way to take care of your mouth is to…
- brush twice a day for 2 minutes with a manual or an electric toothbrush (we recommend Oral-B as a brand)
- use daily interdental cleaning with either floss, tape or interdental brushes (Tepe)
- use a fluoride-containing toothpaste and mouthwash
- clean your tongue by brushing it or using a tongue cleaner
The aim of oral hygiene is to remove a sticky film called plaque that collects on teeth and gums. Bacteria in plaque produce acids and toxins that damage teeth and gums.
You need to brush your teeth AND the gums.
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How to brush your teeth
Bleeding gums is a sign of gum disease and we recommend continuing to brush the bleeding/inflamed areas and get in to see your dentist or hygienist if worried.
You need to change your toothbrush every 2-3 months – with Oral-B brushes there is a blue indicator mark to instruct you when to make the change.
It’s important to remember that a good mouthwash cannot replace interdental cleaning.
The best time to use a mouthwash is after lunch, where it will act to reduce the number of bacteria, freshen your breath and also replenish your mouth with fluoride.
With manual toothbrushes, you want to aim the head 45 degrees into the gum and go around the gum line in small circles.
With an electric toothbrush, you want to aim the brush-head at the gum line and slowly move it around the mouth applying an adequate amount of pressure.
Many modern electric toothbrushes have a pressure indicator to communicate if you are brushing too hard – this will lead to recession of the gums and wear of the teeth.
Take care and time with the difficult to reach areas – back teeth, behind the teeth, and on the inside areas of lower teeth – these are all commonly missed.
The best way to use floss or tape is to take a 30cm strip and wind it around your middle fingers leaving your index finger/thumb to manipulate it to the right areas. You want to pass the floss through the contact points of your teeth and wrap it around each tooth – forming a ‘C’ and sweep this below the gum line on both sides.
95% of the bacteria causing bad breath reside on your tongue – keep it clean for fresh breath!
Hope you found this helpful!
If you would like further information, click here or request an appointment by calling 01277 500 332
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