Brushing & Flossing

Dr. John Halmaghi, a top dentist at Comfort Dental in Southfield, Michigan prides his patients that realize proper dental care begins with good brushing and flossing techniques. Neglecting this may lead to gum disease which is the major cause of tooth loss in adults. It is important too that brushing and flossing are a part of your daily routine which takes just a few minutes to complete. Here are some tips:

Brushing

• You should brush your teeth no less than 2 times a day, specifically in the morning and at night. Brush with a fluoride toothpaste approved by the American Dental Association. You may want to choose fluoride toothpaste that offers tartar control, which may help slow the formation of tartar on the teeth.
• Use a toothbrush with soft, rounded-end bristles and a head that is small enough to reach all parts of your teeth and mouth. Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months.
• You may also use an electric toothbrush that has the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval. Studies show that powered toothbrushes with a rotating and oscillating (back-and-forth) action are more effective than other toothbrushes, including other powered toothbrushes.
• Place the brush at a 45-degree angle where the teeth meet the gums. Press firmly, and gently rock the brush back and forth using small circular movements. Do not scrub. Vigorous brushing can make the gums pull away from the teeth and can scratch your tooth enamel.
• Brush all surfaces of the teeth, tongue-side and cheek-side. Pay special attention to the front teeth and all surfaces of the back teeth.
• Brush chewing surfaces vigorously with short back-and-forth strokes.
• Brush your tongue from back to front. Some people put some toothpaste or mouthwash on their toothbrush when they do this. Brushing your tongue helps remove plaque, which can cause bad breath and help bacteria grow. Some toothbrushes now have a specific brush to use for your tongue.

How to Floss

• Floss at least once a day.
• The finger wrap method: Cut off a piece of floss 18in to 20in long. Wrap one end around your left middle finger and the other end around your right middle finger, until your hands are about 2in to 3in apart.
• The circle method: Use a piece of floss about 12in long. Tie the ends together, forming a loop. If the loop is too large, wrap the floss around your fingers to make it smaller.
• Gently work the floss between the teeth toward the gums. Curve the floss around each tooth into a U-shape and gently slide it under the gum line. Move the floss firmly up and down several times to scrape off the plaque. Popping the floss in and out between the teeth without scraping will not remove much plaque and can hurt your gums.
• A plastic flossing tool makes flossing easier. Child-size flossing tools are available at most drugstores for parents to use to floss their children's teeth.
• If your gums bleed when you floss, the bleeding should stop as your gums become healthier and tighter next to your teeth.
  
  If you have any additional questions or would like to schedule a consultation at Comfort Dental in Southfield, Michigan, call 248-646-2273.

Source: American Dental Association