Proper oral hygiene is the cornerstone to a healthy, beautiful smile. And, it begins with correctly brushing and flossing your teeth.

How to Brush

Position your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and place where gums and teeth meet. Gently move brush in a circular motion several times using small strokes and light pressure. Use this technique to first clean the outside of all teeth; then repeat on the interior of teeth.

To clean the inside surfaces of upper and lower front teeth, position the brush vertically and make back-and-forth strokes across each tooth.

Next, clean the biting surfaces of your teeth by using short strokes. Change position as it is necessary to reach the flat surfaces of all teeth. Use a mirror and make sure all surfaces have been cleaned.

After thoroughly brushing all teeth, be sure to gently brush the surrounding gum tissue.

If you have any pain while brushing or have any questions about brushing properly, please be sure to call RiverWalk Dental Spa.

Flossing is highly imperative as periodontal disease usually first appears between the teeth where the toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing is an effective way to remove plaque from these hard-to-reach areas.

First, take a piece of floss roughly 18-to-20 inches in length. Wrap most of this length around your middle finger of your dominant hand. Wrap the remaining floss around the middle finger of the other hand.

Hold the remaining floss between the thumb and forefinger of each hand. Insert the floss tightly between the teeth and pull the floss through in a back-and-forth motion. Do not force the floss. Once inserted, move the floss down to the gum line and wrap around the base of one tooth by sliding the floss into the space between the gum and the tooth until you feel resistance. Move the floss up and down the side of the tooth.

Use caution and avoid cutting gum tissue. When the floss loses elasticity or becomes soiled, use a fresh piece from around your fingers.

After working the floss around all teeth, rinse thoroughly with water to remove any loosened plaque or food particles. Gums may bleed or be sore, especially during the first several flossing sessions.

Professional cleanings go one step further than the cleaning that daily brushing and flossing can provide. A professional cleaning will remove dental calculus and further help to prevent gum disease. This preventative maintenance will help you avoid more costly dental work as you age.

A balanced diet leaves you less vulnerable to oral diseases. Avoid starchy foods like breads and pastas or sweet foods like candy and cookies. These foods can leave bacteria in your mouth as they are more likely to stick to your teeth, giving their chemical makeup more time to destroy your enamel.

However, some foods such as nuts, cheese and some teas have been shown to actually slow the growth of decay-causing bacteria in a mouth.

After a dental visit, teeth can be sensitive to hot and cold.  If the mouth is kept clean, these sensations should only last a short while. If not keep cleaned, the sensitivity could worsen.

If your teeth are sensitive for a longer period of time than just after dental visits, we may recommend a medicated toothpaste or mouth rinse made especially for sensitive teeth.

We recommend several dental care products for our patients:

Electronic toothbrushes – Works effectively for most patients’ dental care needs.

Oral irrigators, or water-spraying devices – Will rinse thoroughly, however, will not remove plaque Brushing and flossing is still needed

Toothbrushes with rubber – These tips are designed to massage gums after brushing or to help clean between teeth. While these toothbrushes can be useful, discuss with your doctor to understand how to properly use them.

Fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses – This can reduce tooth decay up to 40 percent. Not recommended for children under the age of 6.

Tarter control toothpastes – Will reduce tarter above the gum line. Will not stop gum disease, however.

Anti-plaque rinses – Those approved by the American Dental Association contain agents to fight the early stages of gum disease. Use along with brushing and flossing.