Brushing & Flossing
"good oral hygiene"
Brushing & Flossing are the two mainstays of oral hygiene. Most people brush, but few have been shown to remove the plaque from under the edge of the gum. The bristles of the brush must slide into the cuff of the gum, like a broom may slide under the edge of the refrigerator. The brush should be positioned at a 45 degree angle to the tooth, and move in a small circular motion, or shimmy. Scrubbing is not recommended, in that it may lead to gum recession. (See How to Brush below) We recommend the use of an electric toothbrush and would be happy to discuss which one would be best for you.
How To Brush
The goal of brushing is to remove plaque from the tooth surface and from under the edge of the gum, on the inside and outside of the tooth. It is important to remember that periodontal disease starts under the gum edge, and placing the bristles in the sulcus is important when brushing. Also, remember that brushing cannot access plaque that forms under the gum's edge between the teeth, and flossing is needed to complete that important step of oral hygiene.
    To brush, angle the bristles of the brush at 45
degrees to the side of the tooth. This allows the bristles to slide under the edge of the gum, reaching the hidden plaque. Think of sliding broom bristles under the edge of a refrigerator to remove dirt. The brush should not be scrubbed back and forth, but rather shimmied or rotated in small circular motions. This allows the bristles to remain under the gum's edge, and also prevents wearing the gum.
When all the teeth have been brushed under the edge of the gum, the top surfaces can be brushed. Brush the cheeks and tongue as well, for plaque forms throughout the mouth. Remember that brushing does not clean between the teeth, and flossing is needed to complete your daily oral hygiene We generally recommend the usage of an electric toothbrush such as the Sonicare, Braun or Oral-B. These toothbrushes have been scientifically proven to be superior at plaque removal than manual or regular toothbrushes. The angle that these brushes should be directed is similar to a manual toothbrush, however the toothbrush will perform the brushing action required. We recommend you spend 2 minutes brushing the top teeth, 2 minutes brushing the bottom teeth and spend 1 minute for flossing every morning and evening. |
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Electric brushes have been shown to be more efficient than manual brushes. For most people they are easier to use. However, they also must be properly placed around the teeth to remove plaque. They do NOT replace the need for floss.
Flossing
How To Floss
First, break
off an 18-inch length of floss (any kind you like). Wrap the floss around your middle fingers, allowing enough room to control the floss with your index fingers and thumbs.
 Floss wrapped around middle fingers leaving 4 - 5 inches between hands |
 Floss crosses over top of index fingers, which act to guide floss between teeth |
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Using thumb and index finger for flossing front teeth
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Gently slide the floss between two teeth, allowing it to pass through the contact of the two teeth. Many people think this is the stopping point , but it is only the preliminary step.
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Flossing going past the contact point of the front two teeth. The gum has not yet been cleaned. |
Once the floss "breaks the contact", slide it between the gum and one of the teeth as far as it will go, without causing discomfort. The floss is moved up and down several times, until the plaque is dislodged. When you hear the floss "squeak", the tooth surface is clean. Don't remove the floss, but rather slide the floss against the other tooth, and repeat the procedure. Each time the floss goes between two teeth there are two places that must be flossed: the side of one tooth and the side of the other tooth. These are two separate steps.
 Slide the floss under the edge of the gum of one tooth, wrapping around the tooth. Gently move the floss up and down. |
 Next guide the floss under the gum of the adjacent tooth, wrapping the floss and guiding it up and down. |
Once the floss has cleaned between the two teeth, move to the next contact and repeat the procedure until all the teeth have been flossed, front and back.At first it may take 10-15 minutes to complete the mouth, but when you become proficient, flossing should take a total of less than 5 minutes. This is the best investment of time you can make toward your oral health.
There are many other aids that are available to help with oral hygiene. These include small brushes that can clean spaces between the teeth (proxibrush), and threaders to guide floss under bridges (floss threaders). Toothpicks may be recommended to help clean furcations. Each patient is individually assessed to see what may help optimize their cleaning efforts.
 Proxibrush entering space between teeth |
 Proxibrush cleaning between teeth |
All Challenges Accepted!
Dr. Kelk has treated some of the most difficult cases because of her interest in helping people with special medical needs. She works with some of the most well respected and influential General Dentists, Prosthodontists, and Oral Surgeons in Southern California by working on their patients and family members. If your case requires a multidisciplinary approach , an appropriate specialty team can be assembled for you with your general dentist as the foundation.
Call today to set up an initial examination.
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Our Referral Network Team is Simply the Best!
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Copyright © 2011 Dr. Pichak Kelk and Pichak Kelk DDS Inc.
Phone: 714-835-4441 EMAIL: Office@myperiodontist.comLocated at: 1111 Town and Country Rd. Ste. 46 , Orange, CA 92868
"Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way."
- Booker T. Washington
