Oral Hygiene

Bacteria naturally occur in everyone’s mouth. They thrive off of the foods and beverages we consume. As a result, bacteria secret a by-product that adheres to tooth enamel. Frequent brushing and flossing help reduce the risk of gum disease and cavities by removing plaque buildup. Your oral hygiene efforts are most effective when conducted correctly.  

How to Brush Your Teeth Effectively

Our Beaufort family dentist, Dr. Chris Mohler, recommends brushing your teeth while holding your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle. Gently brush using circular motions across your teeth and gum line. Apply light pressure, and avoid vigorously brushing back and forth as this could lead to overbrushing, which causes gum recession and dental enamel erosion. Be sure to brush all surfaces of your teeth, including the chewing surface of your back teeth, as well as the backsides of the top and bottom teeth. You may need to change the position of your toothbrush to reach different surfaces. It should take two minutes to effectively brush your teeth, according to the American Dental Association.

After you finish brushing your teeth, rinse out your mouth to expel bacteria and plaque. Next, clean between your teeth by flossing. Follow our flossing guide below to ensure the most effective clean.

How to Floss

Flossing removes plaque, bacteria, and food particles from between your teeth. While brushing is an excellent way to reduce cavities on the visible surfaces of your teeth, flossing helps prevent decay from forming along the gum line and between your teeth. The following steps explain best practices for flossing.

Choose your preferred type of dental floss, either nylon, waxed, or unwaxed. Nylon floss has a silky feel that glides between your teeth easily, although some patients prefer waxed floss, while unwaxed is least popular.

Begin by removing 18″ of floss, wrapping one end around the middle fingers of each hand. Hold the floss taut and start in the back of your mouth using your thumb to gently push the floss between your teeth. Glide the floss in an up and down motion along the sides of each tooth, and then move the floss along your gum line in a C-shape motion. Repeat this step on the adjacent tooth, and so on until you have flossed between all of your teeth. As you move on to the next set of teeth, wrap the dirty portion of the floss around one finger, so you do not transfer bacteria to your other teeth.

Here are some additional helpful tips to know when flossing

• Avoid popping the floss between your teeth, which could injure your gums.
• Minimal bleeding and gum tenderness may occur if you do not floss regularly. This is a sign that your gums are irritated by bacteria. More frequent flossing should remedy this issue.
• After you finish flossing, rinse your mouth with water or use an alcohol-free mouthwash.
• If you have braces, a dental bridge, or a dental implant, consider incorporating floss threaders or interproximal brushes to help clean these areas.

What should I do if I have sensitive teeth?

Sensitive teeth are a common complaint among patients. Dental enamel thins as a result of many factors from aging, certain medical treatments or medications, oral diseases, or gum recession. Therefore, it is essential to address this concern with your local Beaufort dentist, Dr. Mohler, to ensure you receive the best treatment for your condition. In many cases, sensitive teeth absent of oral disease can be managed using sensitivity-reducing toothpaste. Results of using sensitivity-reducing toothpaste require several weeks of consistent use. If your tooth sensitivity does not improve or worsens, consult with Dr. Mohler.  

Which oral hygiene products are the best?

Oral hygiene products are found in many stores, but it can be challenging to know the best products to choose. It is essential to select products with the ADA seal of approval, which means they have undergone rigorous testing that provides proven results. Each patient has unique oral health needs. Therefore, we encourage you to speak with Dr. Mohler about oral hygiene products that will work the best for you and to ensure correct usage.

Additional Measures to Protect Your Oral Health

Daily teeth brushing and flossing are only part of the equation to maintaining excellent oral health. The ADA also advises all patients to receive professional dental cleanings twice a year. The purpose of these cleanings is to remove hardened plaque called calculus. Everyone develops calculus, which cannot be removed with regular teeth brushing and flossing. Learn more about professional dental cleanings in Beaufort and how it helps protect your oral health.

Family Dentist in Beaufort, Bluffton, and Hilton Head

If you would like to learn more ways to protect or improve your oral health or schedule a dental cleaning, call Chris Mohler, DDS, at (843) 522-1442 or complete our Contact Form.