Tooth Brushing

Toothbrushing should be carried out with a good quality medium tooth brush. Brushing should be effective enough to remove all plaque from the tooth surfaces, without causing damage to the teeth or gums. The tooth brush needs to be positioned slanting towards the gum at a 45 degree angle using tiny brush strokes backwards and forwards ( as if you were brushing on the spot ). Long brushing strokes which travel across many teeth at a time will eventually cause the gums to receed and may even cause groves or areas of abrasion in the teeth which may become hypersensitive.

Interdental Brushing

Interdental brushes are an invaluable aid to maintain a high level of oral hygiene. They remove plaque from inbetween the teeth where your normal tooth brush cannot reach. They come in a range of different sizes. Jan or Claire our oral hygienists will recommend which brush size is best suited to your mouth.

Flossing

Dental floss or dental tape is used to clean under the gum line inbetween the teeth where your ordinary tooth brush cannot reach. The secret to successful flossing lies in the way you hold the floss. Using approximately a 2 foot length of floss wind the end of the floss around the middle finger on both hands and use a combination of fore fingers and or thumbs to manipulate the floss. The floss is passed inbetween the teeth with one finger behind and the other finger in front of the tooth. Once between the teeth it should then be moved in an up and down movement on the side of the tooth passing the floss under the gum line.

Flossing underneath a Bridge 

Superfloss is ideal for cleaning under bridges and around implants. Using the stiffened end thread the spongy floss between the teeth and move under the bridge. Gently slide the regular floss under the gum line on the supporting crowns on either end of the bridge.