When to Floss
For most patients, dental floss should be used before tooth brushing. The following reasons are why:
1. When the surfaces in between the teeth are flossed first and the plaque (biofilm) is removed, the fluoride from the toothpaste used while brushing reaches the surfaces in between the teeth to prevent cavities.
2. If brushing is accomplished first, flossing may not be carried out. This is because the mouth feels clean; the need for flossing may not be appreciated. Also time may be limited and flossing can be postponed.
How to Floss
1. Hold the floss between thumb & index finger or hold between thumbs. The ends of the floss can be tied together to make it easier to hold (circle of floss).
2. Grasp the floss firmly, allowing 1/2 inch length between fingers.
3. Work the floss slowly between the teeth in a short sawing motion. Avoid snapping through the contact area.
4. Curve the floss around the tooth in a C-shape.
5. Press the floss firmly against the tooth. Move gently beneath the gingiva until tissue resistance is felt.
6. Slide the floss horizontally and vertically with pressure to remove plaque.
How to Brush
1. Wet the toothbrush
2. Apply a smear of toothpaste across bristles
3. Start with the sides of the top right molars & work your way around all the fronts of the teeth until the top left side molars are reached. Then work the toothbrush the opposite from left to right brushing the tongue side of all the top teeth. Repeat steps for the lower teeth. As you are brushing the toothbrush bristles should be touching the teeth and the gums at the same time (the gums will blanch) moving in a soft circular motion. Roll & vibrate the brush slowly down over the rest of the tooth, making sure some of the bristles are reaching in between the teeth. Special angles with the toothbrush such as inserted up right or at a slight angle to reach the tongue side of the front teeth.
4. While brushing light pressure should be used, if the bristles are bending too much pressure is being applied.
Below is the link showing active ingredients of different toothpaste. If a patient is placed on Clinpro, they also need to use a TP with abrasive agents to continue fighting tartar buildup & excess plaque.
"This product is for once a day use in place of regular toothpaste for patients 6 years of age or older as recommended by a dental health professional." from the Clinpro website. Clinpro is only gently abrasive, patients with poor hygiene should improve OH before being placed on Clinpro; for the following reasons 1. They already have poor brushing skills and they will need to use two different toothpastes, you don't want to overwhelm someone that already has poor habits. They need to improve one step at a time. 2. If the patient with poor OH is given Clinpro by the DDS they will probably just brush with that and the toothpaste is not going to help them improve their OH.
http://www.dimensionsofdentalhygiene.com/uploadedfiles/DDH/Magazine/2010/10_October/1010tpf.pdf Halitosis
90% of halitosis originates in the oral cavity (poor OH) 10% has systemic or nonoral causes.
Tongue Cleaning
Brushing and cleaning the top of the tongue is a daily requirement. The tongue is a nice warm home for bacteria to live and cause bad breath. If brushing the tongue makes one gag, you can brush from side to side in a sweeping motion to help lesson the gag reflex.
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