Daily plaque control is accomplished primarily by thorough brushing and flossing. Since plaque accumulates along the gum line and in between the teeth, most of your dental hygiene efforts are concentrated on these two critical areas.

Brushing
The tooth brush is the tool we use to remove plaque along the gum line. There are a large number of types and styles available on the market today. We recommend a soft bristled toothbrush with polished tufts. The brand you choose should be based on what works well in your hands.The technique and time spent brushing is the critical factor in determining brushing success.

We highly recommend an electric toothbrush (Sonicare or Braun) since they consistently remove more plaque in less time than manual brushing. Regardless of the type of brush you choose, the bristles of the brush must approach the junction of the tooth and gum at a forty-five degree angle. You must be able to feel a moderate amount of pressure on the gum in order to insure thorough plaque removal. While holding the brush at this angle, move the brush in a small circular motion for 10 seconds. By brushing every other tooth in this fashion, you will quickly remove all the plaque along the gum line. In addition to this technique, you must learn to brush systematically. Systematic brushing is nothing more than starting at the same place in your mouth each time and working in sequence around the mouth. We recommend starting on the upper right each time on the outside surfaces of the teeth. Good brushing is essential to good dental health but FLOSSING IS MORE IMPORTANT!!!!

Flossing
I hate to floss too, but somebody has to do it. Let's face it; nobody enjoys running string between their teeth. Unfortunately, it is the most critical part of daily hygiene. Period!!! Flossing is the best way to remove plaque between the teeth.

The majority of the time spent repairing teeth in our office is focused on damage that originally began between the teeth. If most people had developed a lifetime habit of flossing, we would be rather bored. There are a variety of flossing aids on the market. We recommend Floss and Toss and give away bucket loads at your cleaning appointments. Try several to find the ones that suit you best and stick with them. When you're in our office, we'll show you how to effectively floss your teeth so it can become easier for you. Stick with it! The more you practice, the easier it gets.

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