ORAL HYGIENE
Regular Hygiene Visits
Protecting your smile through regular oral hygiene visits can help keep you smiling for a lifetime. Regular oral hygiene visits are vital for keeping your teeth and gums clean and healthy. These visits are necessary to prevent any potentially serious problems from developing. We will help you learn how to keep your teeth and gums looking their best. Depending on your current dental health we will employ a combination of any of the following diagnostic, preventive and/or educational services.
Evaluation & Treatment Plan
Take necessary cavity detecting x-rays. Assess your gums. Evaluate existing dental restorations for proper fit, function and aesthetics. Check your bite. Review and update your medical history. Evaluate possible smile enhancements. Identify any causes of bad breath (halitosis). Examine and screen for oral cancer. Check your blood pressure. Develop a comprehensive treatment plan. Clean & polish your teeth. Remove all the plaque, stain and tartar. Apply pit and fissure sealants to help prevent cavities. Apply fluoride. Oral hygiene instructions that help you brush and floss effectively. Nutrition counseling.
Brushing and Flossing
A beautiful smile is up to you. Besides regular oral hygiene visits it is important to eat a balanced diet as well as brushing and flossing every single day. Brush the outer surfaces of all the upper and then the lower teeth making sure to angle the bristles against the gum line. Then brush the inner surfaces of your teeth using the same brush strokes. Scrub the chewing surfaces of all the back teeth. Brush your tongue from back to front in an effort to remove odor producing bacteria.
Correct Flossing Directions
Wind about 18 inches of floss around your middle fingers. Hold 1-2 inches of that floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers. Using a gentle back and forth motion guide the floss between your teeth. Avoid snapping the floss which may cause unnecessary gum irritation. When the floss is at the gum line curve it in an arc around each tooth until there is mild resistance. Then gently slide it up and down the side of the tooth making certain that floss moves under the gum line. Repeat this procedure on both sides of each tooth.