ORAL HYGIENE LAS VEGAS
LONE MOUNTAIN DENTAL
Introduction to Oral Health
Oral health is a vital part of your overall well-being, impacting not just your smile but your entire body. Practicing good oral hygiene habits—such as regular brushing and flossing, routine dental cleanings, and fluoride treatments—can help prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and a range of other oral health issues. In Las Vegas, the dry climate can create unique challenges for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, making it even more important to prioritize dental hygiene.
By committing to good dental hygiene and scheduling regular dental cleanings, you can protect your teeth and gums from potential issues and enjoy a healthier smile for years to come. Preventive care, including fluoride treatments and professional cleanings, supports strong tooth enamel and helps prevent cavities and gum disease. Understanding the importance of oral health and taking proactive steps to maintain it is the best way to ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy, no matter the environment.
WHY IS ORAL HYGIENE SO IMPORTANT?
Adults over 35 lose more teeth to gum diseases (periodontal disease) than from cavities. Three out of four adults are affected at some time in their life. The best way to prevent cavities and periodontal disease is by good tooth brushing and flossing techniques, performed daily.
Periodontal disease and decay are both caused by bacterial plaque. Bacteria in plaque produce toxins that irritate the gums, leading to oral diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis. Regular dental visits and check ups are essential for early detection and prevention of dental issues. Frequent visits, such as every six months or more for high-risk individuals, are recommended to maintain optimal oral health. Your dentist plays a key role in providing preventive care, professional cleanings, and guidance to help you maintain healthy teeth and gums. Plaque is a colorless film, which sticks to your teeth at the gum line. Plaque constantly forms on your teeth. By thorough daily brushing and flossing you can remove these germs and help prevent periodontal disease.
HOW TO BRUSH TEETH
Dr. Godfrey recommend using a soft to medium tooth brush. Position the brush at a 45 degree angle where your gums and teeth meet. Gently move the brush in a circular motion several times using small, gentle strokes brushing the outside surfaces of your teeth. Use light pressure while putting the bristles between the teeth, but not so much pressure that you feel any discomfort.
For best results, brush for at least two minutes to ensure effective cleaning of all tooth surfaces.
When you are done cleaning the outside surfaces of all your teeth, follow the same directions while cleaning the inside of the back teeth.
To clean the inside surfaces of the upper and lower front teeth, hold the brush vertically. Make several gentle back-and-forth strokes over each tooth. Don’t forget to gently brush the surrounding gum tissue.
Next you will clean the biting surfaces of your teeth by using short, gentle strokes. Change the position of the brush as often as necessary to reach and clean all surfaces. Try to watch yourself in the mirror to make sure you clean each surface. After you are done, rinse vigorously to remove any plaque you might have loosened while brushing.
To clean the inside surfaces of the upper and lower front teeth, hold the brush vertically. Make several gentle back-and-forth strokes over each tooth. Don’t forget to gently brush the surrounding gum tissue.
Next you will clean the biting surfaces of your teeth by using short, gentle strokes. Change the position of the brush as often as necessary to reach and clean all surfaces. Try to watch yourself in the mirror to make sure you clean each surface. After you are done, rinse vigorously to remove any plaque you might have loosened while brushing.
HOW TO FLOSS
Periodontal disease usually appears between the teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing is a very effective way to remove plaque from those surfaces. However, it is important to develop the proper technique. The following instructions will help you, but remember it takes time and practice.
Start with a piece of floss (waxed is easier) about 18″ long. Lightly wrap most of the floss around the middle fingers. Wrap the rest of the floss around the middle fingers of the other hand.
To clean the upper teeth, hold the floss tightly between the thumb and forefinger of each hand. Gently insert the floss tightly between the teeth using a back-and-forth motion. Do not force the floss or try to snap it in to place. Bring the floss to the gum line then curve it into a C-shape against one tooth. Slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth until you feel light resistance. Move the floss up and down on the side of one tooth. Remember there are two tooth surfaces that need to be cleaned in each space. Continue to floss each side of all the upper teeth. Be careful not to cut the gum tissue between the teeth. As the floss becomes soiled, turn from one finger to the other to get a fresh section.
To clean between the bottom teeth, guide the floss using the forefingers of both hands. Do not forget the back side of the last tooth on both sides, upper and lower.
When you are done, rinse vigorously with water to remove plaque and food particles. Do not be alarmed if during the first week of flossing your gums bleed or are a little sore. Bleeding gums during brushing or flossing can be a sign of inflammation caused by plaque buildup along the gumline. If your gums hurt while flossing you could be doing it too hard or pinching the gum. As you floss daily and remove the plaque your gums will heal and the bleeding should stop.
CHOOSING ORAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS
There are so many products on the market it can become confusing and choosing between all the products can be difficult. Here are some suggestions for choosing dental care products that will work for most patients.
Automatic and “high-tech” electronic toothbrushes are safe and effective for the majority of the patients. Oral irrigators (water spraying devices) will rinse your mouth thoroughly, but will not remove plaque. You need to brush and floss in conjunction with the irrigator. We see excellent results with electric toothbrushes called Rotadent and Interplak.
Some toothbrushes have a rubber tip on the handle, this is used to massage the gums after brushing. There are also tiny brushes (interproximal toothbrushes) that clean between your teeth. If these are used improperly you could injure the gums, so discuss proper use with your doctor.
Fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses, if used in conjunction with brushing and flossing, can reduce tooth decay as much as 40%. Remember, these rinses are not recommended for children under six years of age. Tartar control toothpastes will reduce tartar above the gum line, but gum disease starts below the gum line so these products have not been proven to reduce the early stage of gum disease. Tartar buildup can lead to tooth decay and gum disease if not properly managed, so regular removal is important.
Anti-plaque rinses, approved by the American Dental Association, contain agents that may help bring early gum disease under control. Use these in conjunction with brushing and flossing.
Improper use of dental products or neglecting professional advice can result in other issues that require dental attention.
PROFESSIONAL DENTAL CLEANING
Daily brushing and flossing will keep dental calculus to a minimum, but a professional dental cleaning will remove calculus in places your toothbrush and floss have missed. During these cleanings, dentists and hygienists remove bacteria and tartar buildup that contribute to gum disease and other oral health issues. Professional cleanings also help prevent bad breath by reducing bacteria and plaque. Regular professional cleanings protect teeth and gums from decay and disease. For optimal oral health, dental visits are recommended every six months. Routine visits help prevent tooth loss by detecting and treating issues early. Your visit to our office is an important part of your program to prevent gum disease. Keep your teeth for your lifetime.
ORAL HYGIENE AT LONT MOUNTAIN DENTAL
Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential for preventing gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral health issues. By practicing regular brushing and flossing, scheduling professional dental cleanings, and staying proactive about your dental health, you can protect your teeth and gums and enjoy a confident, healthier smile. At Lone Mountain Dental, our skilled hygienists are dedicated to supporting your oral health with comprehensive care tailored to your needs.
Don’t wait for dental issues to arise—take charge of your oral health today. Schedule your next dental exam and cleaning with Lone Mountain Dental in Las Vegas, and let us help you maintain a beautiful, healthy smile for life. Your journey to better oral health starts with a single appointment—contact our office to book your visit now!
