Oral Care
Cleanings
Professional cleanings are indicated two or three times a year. This is a regiment prescribed to patients who have normal and healthy gums. Professional cleanings are like insurance for your smile. The investment can save you thousands of dollars in the long run, as smaller problems diagnosed along the way can prevent much bigger problems from occurring later on. During this procedure, tartar and plaque are removed with both ultrasonic and hand instruments that cannot be removed with a brush and floss. The purpose of a professional cleaning is not only to remove the tartar above the gum and bacteria-induced deposits below the gum as well as to polish off extrinsic stains from teeth, but to also get a comprehensive lesson in oral care. Remember there is a direct link between oral care and the prevention of heart disease.
Pregnancy Advisor: Pregnant women have a tendency to develop generalized gum inflammation and might find
their gums bleeding when they brush. This is all too common and thankfully should return to normal after the baby is born. This is a reaction from excessive hormone release by the pregnant mother termed “Pregnancy Gingivitis”. It is recommended that pregnant mothers have additional cleanings three to four times during their pregnancy term.
Intra-Oral Cameras:
The use of a intra-oral camera is very effective in bringing attention to areas of concern. This tool gives the patient a totally different perspective allowing them to see what the dentist sees.
BRUSHING & FLOSSING:
Brushing is recommended two to three times daily for approximately 2 minutes. It is most effectively done in a gentle manner involving angulating the tooth brush at 45 degrees into the gum with a back and forth motion. Be sure to monitor the amount of pressure. If you notice your bristles are bending against the tooth than you are applying too much pressure. The Active part of the tooth brush is the tips of the bristle. Flossing techniques vary and you can have your dental professional demonstrate. Flossing is recommended at least 3 times per week if not daily. It should be done gently like brushing if done too hard it can cause gum recession. Floss substitutes are available such as Stimudents, tooth picks, and water-picks. Flossing helps prevent cavities that develop between teeth so it is extremely important to include this in your oral care regimine.
Bad Breath:
If your complaint is bad breath then brushing alone might not help. Flossing is an integral part in containing bad breath. You will find food gets trapped most often between teeth and grow bacteria that foster odors. In addition to brushing and flossing there are tongue scraping devices that gently debride the tongue like a good facial it allows new cell follicles to grow and removes unwanted bacteria.
Toothpaste:
A little goes a long way. The brand of tooth paste doesn’t matter as much as the abrasiveness. A non-abrasive toothpaste acts just as effectively and does not cause enamel wear over time. You really don't need more than a pea-sized amount to do the job. More than that and you're just wasting it.
Mouthwashes:
Dr. Faktor recommends a non-alcohol based mouth wash such as Natural Dentist or Crest Pro Health. Alcohol tends to dry out the mouth. The saliva contains many anti-bacterial agents that are necessary to fight gum disease and cavities. So it is important to promote good saliva flow vs. drying it out.
BABY BRUSHING:
Healthy first teeth also contribute to proper alignment of the jawbones and eventual bite. As soon as that first baby tooth appears, a child's teeth (or tooth) must be brushed twice a day. In the beginning, you can wrap a piece of gauze around your finger and rub it across the teeth; no toothpaste is necessary until around the time of a child's third birthday. Before using a toothpaste that contains fluoride, check with your dentist. If your child is already getting fluoride supplements or drinks a lot of fluoridated water, don't use fluoridated toothpaste. If your dentist recommends fluoride toothpaste, only use a match-tip sized dab. Kids like to swallow toothpaste.
