Preventive Dental Care

Preventive dental care is a vital part of maintaining healthy teeth and gums throughout your life.  Practicing good oral hygiene and scheduling regular checkups with your Dentist is essential to your oral and overall systemic health.

Below are recommendations to keep your teeth and gums healthy, prevent the build up of plaque and prevent tooth decay.

• Brush your teeth regularly for 2 minutes, 2 times per day with a soft-bristled toothbrush; we recommend electric toothbrushes.
• Use toothpaste with fluoride to help keep enamel strong.
• Brush the top surface of your tongue to remove bacterial film and freshen your breath.
• Clean between your teeth at least once per day.
• Use Fluoride mouthwash once a day to help strengthen enamel and prevent tooth decay.  Swish for one minute and do not rinse with water, eat or drink for 30 minutes after.
• Eat a balanced diet, including plenty of raw vegetables, cheese, plain yogurt and fruit.
• Avoid sodas and sugary foods.  Rinse with plain water after enjoying these types of beverages and foods to remove acids and sugars.
• If you participate in sports – whenever possible, wear a mouthguard.  If you drink sports drinks, rinse with plain water to remove acids and sugars.
• Visit your Dentist every six months and ask about any other ways to protect and maintain your oral health.

Brushing Instructions

1. Manual tooth brushing – Place your toothbrush along your gumline, touching your teeth, at a 45 degree angle to your gums and gently massage in a circular motion.
2. Electric tooth brushing – Place your toothbrush along your gumline, touching your teeth and allow the brush to do the work for you as you gently slide from one tooth to the next, pausing a few seconds on each tooth.
3. Make sure to brush the inner, outer and chewing surfaces of each individual tooth.
4. The tip of your brush can be used to brush the inner surface of your front teeth.

Flossing Instructions

If you find using floss awkward or difficult, ask your dental hygienist about the variety of dental floss holders or interdental cleaning devices that are available.

1. Wind 18″ of floss around middle fingers of each hand. Pinch floss between thumbs and index fingers,  leaving a 1″- 2″ length in between.

2. With floss taut; use a combination of thumbs & index fingers to guide floss between contacts of the teeth.

3. Gently guide floss between the teeth by using a side to side motion to get past the contact. Gently wrap floss around the side of the tooth, forming a letter “C”.

4. Slide floss up and down against the tooth surface and under the gumline, 2-3 times before going up & over the gum tissue to the next tooth.

Contact our dental office and make an appointment.  We are here to help: (703) 318-8200