Home care is the most important way to keep your mouth healthy. If you can keep your teeth plaque-free, there is a much less likely chance you will have problems. Can it be done? Perhaps not entirely, but you can stay pretty close to being plaque free.
What’s the best way? Brushing and flossing are tried and true methods, but the technique must be right. It does not do any good if the process isn’t removing most of the plaque. Today, we have new technologies that can help.
At my office, we are big advocates of the electric toothbrush, namely the Sonicare toothbrush (although Oral B products are very good too!). If everyone had one of these; and used it properly, I would have a lot less work to do! The Sonicare does most of the work for you in that it vibrates and moves against your teeth and gums to remove the plaque. Due to the frequency of these motions, the liquid in your mouth is moved around and acts to flush out some of the plaque. Because it is disrupting the plaque and bacteria, it keeps it from doing damage to tooth structure, gums, and the bone supporting your teeth. The bristles of your toothbrush, however, do need to touch every surface of exposed tooth structure which is where technique comes into play.
Flossing is also very important. It only needs to be done once a day (brushing, a minimum of twice a day). There are new advances in flossers as well; however, in this case I don’t think that these work better than traditional flossing. Phillips Sonicare has come out with an air driven flosser similar to a waterpik. While it is a good product, it cannot completely break through the contact to remove debris and plaque like traditional dental floss.
My routine at home includes Sonicare brushing of all exposed tooth surfaces in the morning and flossing (which takes less than two minutes) at night right before brushing again with the Sonicare. The floss must be in contact at the gum line and “agitated” against the tooth in the front and back of the contacted teeth to properly remove the plaque. I will use my Sonicare Air Flosser on occasion to complete my homecare. Remember, no eating or drinking (except water) after your routine before bed.
Because we believe so much in the Sonicare toothbrush, we have been giving away one every month via our Facebook page. Just “like” us on Facebook (Gregory B. Garrett, D.D.S., PA) and you can follow us there to have a chance to win a Sonicare and other monthly prizes. You can find our Facebook link on our website (Wilmingtonsmiles.net) under “links”. The October Giveaway is now posted on our page!!
As always, we hope that this Newsletter finds you well and we look forward to seeing you at your next dental appointment!
Have A Great Day!!
Dr. Garrett & Staff