The Importance Of Oral Hygiene

Adults over 35 lose more teeth to gum diseases (periodontal disease) than from cavities. Three out of four adults are affected at some time in their life. The best way to prevent cavities and periodontal disease is by good tooth brushing and flossing techniques, performed daily.

Periodontal disease and decay are both caused by bacterial plaque. Plaque is a colorless film which sticks to your teeth at the gum line and constantly forms. By thorough daily brushing and flossing, you can remove these germs and help prevent periodontal disease.

How To Brush Teeth

If you have any pain while brushing your teeth or have any questions about how to brush properly, please be sure to call McMinn Dental Center at 423-745-5212.

The McMinn Team recommends using a soft to medium toothbrush. Position the brush at a 45-degree angle where your gums and teeth meet. Gently move the brush in a circular motion several times using small, gentle strokes brushing the outside surfaces of your teeth. Use light pressure while putting the bristles between the teeth, but not so much pressure that you feel any discomfort.

When you are done cleaning the outside surfaces of all your teeth, follow the same directions while cleaning the inside of the back teeth. To clean the inside surfaces of the upper and lower front teeth, hold the brush vertically. Make several gentle back-and-forth strokes over each tooth. Don’t forget to gently brush the surrounding gum tissue. Next, you will clean the biting surfaces of your teeth by using short, gentle strokes. Change the position of the brush as often as necessary to reach and clean all surfaces. After you are done, rinse vigorously to remove any plaque you might have loosened while brushing.

How To Floss

Periodontal disease usually appears between the teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing is a very effective way to remove plaque from those surfaces. However, it is important to develop the proper technique.

Start with a piece of floss (waxed is easier) about 18” long. Lightly wrap most of the floss around the middle finger of one hand. Wrap the rest of the floss around the middle finger of the other hand. To clean the upper teeth, hold the floss tightly between the thumb and forefinger of each hand. Gently insert the floss between the teeth using a back-and-forth motion. Do not force the floss or try to snap it into place. Bring the floss to the gum line, then curve it into a sentence-case shape against one tooth. Slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth until you feel light resistance. Move the floss up and down on the side of one tooth.

Continue to floss each side of all the upper teeth. To clean between the bottom teeth, guide the floss using the forefingers of both hands. When you are done, rinse vigorously with water to remove plaque and food particles. Do not be alarmed if during the first week of flossing your gums bleed or are a little sore. As you floss daily and remove the plaque, your gums will heal and the bleeding should stop.

Caring For Sensitive Teeth

Sometimes after dental treatment, teeth are sensitive to hot and cold. This should not last long, but only if the mouth is kept clean. If the mouth is not kept clean, the sensitivity will remain and could become more severe. If your teeth are especially sensitive, consult with the McMinn Team. We may recommend a medicated toothpaste or mouth rinse made especially for sensitive teeth.

Choosing Oral Hygiene Products

There are many products on the market, and choosing between them can be difficult. Here are some suggestions for dental care products that work for most patients:

• Electronic Toothbrushes: Automatic and electronic toothbrushes are safe and effective for the majority of patients.
• Oral Irrigators: These devices rinse your mouth thoroughly, but will not remove plaque. You need to brush and floss in conjunction with the irrigator.
• Interproximal Brushes: These are tiny brushes that clean between your teeth. If used improperly, you could injure the gums, so discuss proper use with the McMinn Team.
• Fluoride And Anti-Plaque Rinses: Fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses can reduce tooth decay as much as 40%. Anti-plaque rinses approved by the American Dental Association contain agents that may help bring early gum disease under control.

Professional Dental Cleaning

Daily brushing and flossing will keep dental calculus to a minimum, but a professional dental cleaning at McMinn Dental Center will remove calculus in places your toothbrush and floss have missed. Your visit to our office is an important part of your program to prevent gum disease and keep your teeth for your lifetime.