Shopping for oral hygiene aids can be overwhelming. Supermarket shelves are filled with various types of products, and it can be challenging to determine what’s right for you. Today I’m going to provide a quick summary of the different oral hygiene aids available along with their appropriate uses.

Dental Flosses
Dental floss is the most common interdental (below the gum) cleaner and comes in a variety of types and flavors. Floss helps remove food particles and plaque from between teeth. Floss should normally be used twice daily after brushing.

Interdental Brushes
Many hygienists & periodontists recommend interdental brushes in addition to dental floss. These tiny brushes are gentle on the gums and very effective in cleaning the contours of teeth in between the gums.

Mouth Rinses
There are two basic types of mouth rinse available: Cosmetic rinses, used to temporarily suppress bad breath, and therapeutic rinses which may require a prescription from our Las Gatos, CA Dentist Office. Therapeutic rinses are regulated by the FDA and contain active ingredients that can help reduce bad breath, plaque, and cavities. Mouth rinses should generally be used after brushing.

Oral Irrigators
Oral irrigators (like Waterpiks) are designed to clean debris from below the gum line. Water is continuously sprayed from tiny jets, helping to remove harmful bacteria and food particles.

Rubber Tip Stimulators
The rubber tip stimulator is an excellent tool for removing plaque from around the gum line and also for stimulating blood flow to the gums.

Toothbrushes
Electric toothbrushes are generally recommended by dentists because they are much more effective than manual brushes. The vibrating or rotary motion helps to dislodge plaque and remove food particles from around the gums and teeth. Manual toothbrushes can achieve similar results but with greater effort and should be replaced every three months.

Regular dental checkups are essential for maintaining excellent oral hygiene and diagnosing potential problems, but in-office cleanings are only the first step. If you still have questions, the team at Los Gatos Dental can recommend the most suitable products for your needs.

We’ve talked about Periodontal Disease, its causes and the devastating effects it can have on your oral as well as your general health. In addition to regular check-ups and cleanings, proper at-home oral hygiene can go a long way toward minimizing or preventing the onset of Periodontal Disease. With that in mind, I’d like to review the basics of proper brushing and flossing techniques.

Brushing:

1. Brush at least twice a day; in the morning and before bed.  Unsure of which brush is right for you? Los Gatos Dental will be happy to help you select the one that suits your needs.
2. Place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle where the gums and teeth meet.
3. Use small circular motions to gently brush gum line and teeth.
4. Don’t apply too much pressure to the teeth - this can damage gums and tooth enamel.
5. Brush every surface of every tooth, cheek-side, tongue-side, and chewing surfaces. Pay special attention to the surfaces of the back teeth.
6. Use back and forth strokes to brush the chewing surfaces.
7. Brush the tongue to remove fungi, food and debris.

Flossing:

Flossing is a great way to remove plaque from between teeth, preventing periodontal disease. The flavor and type of floss are unimportant; choose floss that will be easy and pleasant to use.

1. Cut a piece of floss about 18” long.
2. Wrap one end of the floss around the middle finger of the left hand and the other end around the middle finger of the right hand until the hands are 2-3 inches apart.
3. Work the floss gently between the teeth toward the gum line.
4. Curve the floss in a U-shape around each tooth, carefully sliding it beneath the gum line.
5. Carefully move the floss up and down several times to remove interdental plaque and debris.

If you still have questions, your Los Gas, CA Dentist will be more than happy to answer them for you.