Keep Your Mouth Healthy
The best way to prevent cavities and periodontal disease is through good, daily toothbrushing and flossing techniques backed up by a six-month professional cleaning with the dental hygienist. Both periodontal disease and decay are caused by bacterial plaque, a colourless film that constantly forms and sticks to teeth at the gum line. Thorough brushing and flossing will remove these pathogens and help you prevent periodontal disease.
Professional Dental Cleaning
Although daily brushing and flossing will keep dental plaque and calculus (tartar) to a minimum, a professional cleaning will remove calculus in places your toothbrush and floss have missed. Plaque and calculus are the predominant causes of dental decay, gum disease and eventual tooth loss.
Regular six-monthly visits to our dental hygienist are a cornerstone of your programme to prevent decay and gum disease. Let's work together to keep your teeth for your lifetime!
What to expect at your Dental Hygienist visit:
A check-up to screen for cavities, gum problems or other oral diseases.
A professional scale and polish to remove all traces of plaque and calculus.
Applying topical fluoride treatment may be advised to reduce sensitivity and promote the strengthening of teeth enamel to prevent future decay.
Our dental hygienist will assess the effectiveness of your oral hygiene routine and give feedback. She may also suggest dental products or methods that address and optimise your unique requirements.
You can learn about other concerns or procedures, such as tooth whitening, fissure sealants, orthodontic alignment, bruxism, sleep or sports mouth guards, or discuss any specific issues of concern.
How to Brush
When brushing the outside surfaces of your teeth, you should 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. Use light pressure to push the bristles between the teeth, but not to the point of feeling discomfort. When you have cleaned the outside surfaces of all your teeth, follow the exact directions to clean 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 brush the surrounding gum tissue gently.
Next, clean the biting surfaces of your teeth by using short, gentle strokes. Change the brush's position as often as necessary to reach and clean all surfaces. Try to watch yourself in the mirror to make sure you clean each surface. After you have finished, rinse vigorously to remove any plaque you might have loosened when brushing.
If you have any pain when brushing or have any questions about how to brush properly, please feel free to contact us.
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 essential to develop the proper technique. The following instructions will help you - but remember it takes time and practice.
Start with a piece of floss (waxed is easier) about 30cm long. Lightly wrap most of the floss around the middle finger of one hand and the rest 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 tightly between the teeth using a back-and-forth motion. Please do not force the floss or try to snap it into place. Bring the floss to the gum line, then curve it into a C-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. Remember, the surfaces of the two teeth need to be cleaned in each space. Continue to floss each side of all the upper teeth. Be careful not to cut the gum tissue between the teeth. As the floss becomes soiled, turn from one finger to the other to get a fresh section.
To clean between the bottom teeth, guide the floss using the forefinger of both hands. Do not forget to floss the back end of the last tooth on both sides, upper and lower.
Rinse vigorously with water to remove plaque and food particles. If your gums hurt when flossing, it might be because you've pulled too hard or pinched the gum. 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, provided your mouth is clean. If your mouth is not kept clean, the sensitivity will remain and could become more severe. If your teeth are susceptible, your dentist or hygienist may recommend a medicated toothpaste or mouth rinse for sensitive teeth.
Choosing Oral Hygiene Products
There are so many dental products on the market that it might be confusing, and choosing between them can be difficult. Here are some suggestions for selecting dental care products that will work for most patients.
Automatic and high-tech electronic toothbrushes are safe and effective for most patients. We see excellent results with Curaprox and the Oclean range of electric toothbrushes. Both are available at Hout Bay Dental Studio and make an excellent investment in your dental health. They require a different brushing technique from traditional toothbrushes, and we recommend you speak to our professional staff to help you use them correctly.
Oral irrigators (water spraying devices) rinse your mouth thoroughly but do not entirely remove plaque. You need to brush and floss in conjunction with the irrigator.
Nutrition
Good nutrition plays a significant role in dental health. Brushing and flossing help keep teeth and gums healthy and strong. However, a balanced diet will help boost your body's immune system, leaving you less vulnerable to oral disease.
How often and what you eat affect your dental health. Bacteria in your mouth feed on starchy, high-glycaemic foods such as crackers, bread, biscuits, and sweets. They then produce acids, which attack your teeth for at least 20 minutes or longer. Foods that dissolve slowly or stick to your teeth give the acids more time to destroy tooth enamel.
Sticky and starchy foods create less acid when eaten as part of a meal. Saliva production increases at mealtime, rinsing away food particles and neutralising harmful acids. Some foods, such as nuts, cheese, onions, and certain teas, have been shown to slow the growth of decay-causing bacteria in the mouth.