Oral Hygiene

Oral hygiene is the bedrock of dental care, vital for maintaining both oral health and overall well-being. It encompasses daily practices such as brushing, flossing, and rinsing, aimed at removing plaque and bacteria from teeth and gums. Consistent oral hygiene routines not only prevent common dental issues like cavities and gum disease but also contribute to systemic health. By prioritizing oral hygiene, you’re investing in a lifetime of healthy smiles and improved health outcomes.

Read more about oral hygiene below.

90% of halitosis also known as bad breath comes from the tongue.

In addition to brushing and flossing, tongue cleaning should be a part of one’s daily oral health regime. A soft bristle toot brush or a tongue cleaner can be used to remove the bacteria that can accumulate on the tongue. Whether using a toothbrush or tongue cleaner it should be placed on the surface of the tongue close to the base and pulled forward pressing lightly against the surface. This movement is repeated to cover the entire surface area of the tongue.

Don’t forget to rinse your toothbrush after each brush.

Threader floss is specialized floss with multiple thicknesses and textures. An area of un-waxed floss can get in between teeth. An area of thicker nylon meshwork is to clean larger surfaces and a stiff end to allow for threading under bridges, beneath tight contact areas, through exposed furcation’s, around orthodontic braces.

It is important to clean all aspects that the floss can reach by gliding it gently to contact all surfaces.

The plastic floss pick is designed with a toothpick like projection at one end and a forked floss carrier at the other end.  It provides individuals with reduced manual dexterity with an easier way to floss their teeth. Cleaning starts with movement of the floss pick up and down in between the teeth as well as sliding it gently under the gum line to further clean these areas of any food particles. This can be repeated 2-3 times for effective cleaning. The opposing end can act as a tooth pick to help remove food particles.

Flossing is the technique of using dental floss to clean in between the teeth.

Before brushing your teeth, measure out about 40cm of floss and wind each end around your middle fingers. Grab 5-6cm of floss with your index or pointer fingers and thumb.

Gently glide the floss up and down between the teeth. Gently curve the floss around the base of each tooth, making sure you go beneath the gum line. Never snap or force the floss, as this may cut or bruise delicate gum tissue.

Use clean sections of floss as you move from tooth to tooth. To remove the floss, use the same back and forth motion to bring the floss up and away from the teeth.

Used waxed floss (unwaxed floss is more likely to get caught and shred in your braces), dental tape or a product specifically designed to clean around your braces.

Threader floss is great to use when flossing around braces. Use about 40cm of floss. Thread the floss carefully.

Take the floss and carefully thread it under the main wire of the braces before passing it between two teeth. Then remove the floss and re-thread it under the main wire to pass between the next pair of teeth.

Be sure not to snap the floss – simply move it up and down gently against the side of each tooth making sure to reach the gum line.

The modified bass technique of tooth brushing is used by patients that have good manual dexterity and limited gum recession.

The brush is placed at a 45-degree angle on to the front surface of the teeth with the bristles projecting into the pocket surrounding the tooth.

A small circular motion is made with the bristles into the pocket. Then the bristles are swept from the gum line into the biting surface of the tooth, brushing over the entire front surface. This technique is then completed on the inside surfaces of the teeth.

The toothbrush is once again placed into the pocket at a 45-degree angle completing small circles, then brushed from the gum line to the biting surface of the tooth.