Most dental problems arise due to poor maintenance of dental health caused by improper teeth brushing habits and diet. Even with regular teeth brushing but poor dietary choices, teeth can deteriorate. A high sugar diet and sugar-sweetened beverages lower the pH of the mouth to extremely acidic levels that make teeth vulnerable to bacterial attack as the outer protective layers of teeth which are the enamel and dentin get damaged. Primarily it’s essential to have high fiber and low sugar diet.
Teeth brushing techniques:
We recommend using a soft or medium bristle brush and changing your brush approximately every 6 months. Using hard bristles can eventually cause teeth to wear out and gums to recede exposing more tooth structure. This exposed tooth structure is more susceptible to decay and food lodgment between teeth which can be very hard to clean.
To ensure effective oral hygiene, it’s important to position your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle where your gums and teeth meet. Make small, gentle circular motions when brushing the outside surfaces of your teeth, applying light pressure as you insert the bristles between your teeth. However, avoid using too much pressure that could cause discomfort.
Once you’ve cleaned the outer surfaces of your teeth, repeat the process to clean the inside surfaces of your back teeth. For the inside surfaces of your upper and lower front teeth, hold the brush vertically and use gentle back and forth strokes, while taking care to brush the surrounding gum tissue.
To clean the biting surfaces of your teeth, use short, gentle strokes while changing the position of the brush as necessary to reach all surfaces. Using a mirror can be helpful to ensure thorough cleaning. Finally, rinse vigorously to remove any plaque that may have loosened during brushing. By following these steps, you can help maintain good oral hygiene and promote healthy teeth and gums.
How to Floss:
Periodontal disease typically develops in the space between the teeth that are inaccessible to a toothbrush. Flossing is an effective method to remove plaque from those areas, but it’s important to use a proper technique.
Using approximately 18-inch long floss (preferably waxed) and holding it firmly between your thumb and forefinger of each hand, glide the floss back and forth between your teeth. Do not force the floss or snap it into place. This can cause injury and bleeding in your gums. Once the floss is near the gum line, form it into a C – shape around one tooth. Slide the floss gently into the space between the tooth and gums until you feel some resistance. Move the floss up and down on the side of the tooth. Keep in mind that each space has two surfaces that require cleaning. Repeat the process for each side of every upper tooth, taking care not to cut the gum tissue.
For the bottom teeth, use your forefingers to guide the floss. Don’t forget to clean the backside of the last tooth on both sides of the upper and lower jaw.
Once you have finished flossing, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water to eliminate any remaining plaque or food particles. Don’t be alarmed if your gums bleed or feel tender during the first week of flossing. If your gums hurt during flossing, you may be applying too much pressure pinching the gum. Consistent daily flossing will eventually remove the plaque, promote healing of the gums, and alleviate any bleeding or tenderness.
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