Oral Hygiene & Teeth Cleaning 

Oral Hygiene Cleaning
for Patients in Winston-Salem, NC & the Surrounding Areas

Why is oral hygiene so important?

A comparison of a healthy and diseased tooth.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. Plaque is a colorless film, which sticks to your teeth at the gumline. Plaque constantly forms on your teeth. By thorough daily brushing and flossing you can remove these germs and help prevent periodontal disease.

Some of the warning signs of gum disease that you may experience include bleeding gums while eating, brushing, and/or flossing. Regular dental checkups with teeth cleanings are important as they help determine if you have gum disease and provide you with the treatment you need. Continuing to brush and floss at least twice a day is important to reduce the build-up on your teeth. You can also rinse your mouth with a mouthwash and avoid sugary foods and drinks to prevent tooth decay.

How to Brush

Drs. Pruitt, Miller, Stowe, Steinbicker or Taylor recommends using a soft to medium toothbrush. 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.

If you have any pain while brushing or have any questions about how to brush properly, please be sure to call the office at Winston Smiles Phone Number (336) 765-1881.

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.

How to Floss

Periodontal disease usually appears between the teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach.

A flosser 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 finger of one hand. Wrap the rest of the floss around the middle finger 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 gumline 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.

Caring for Sensitive Teeth

Sometimes after dental treatment, teeth are sensitive to hot and cold. This should not last long, but only if the mouth is kept clean. If the mouth is not kept clean the sensitivity will remain and could become more severe. If your teeth are especially sensitive consult with your doctor. They may recommend a medicated toothpaste or mouth rinse made especially for sensitive teeth.

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. 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.

Sensitive Teeth

Are cool treats or hot drinks a painful experience for you? Do your teeth hurt when brushing or flossing? You may have sensitive teeth. Common causes for this includes cavities, gum disease, exposed tooth root, worn enamel, and other problems.

The enamel on your teeth protects the crowns of your teeth above your gum line. Under the gum line, a layer called ‘cementum’ protects the tooth root. Under both of these is the dentin. The dentin is less dense and contains microscopic tubules. When these are uncovered, hot and cold foods and drinks can cause hypersensitivity. To prevent sensitive-tooth pain, proper oral hygiene is important. If you are experiencing sensitive teeth, contact our dentists.

Choosing Oral Hygiene Products

Toothbrush, toothpaste and flosserThere 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 gumline so these products have not been proven to reduce the early stage of gum disease.

Patient receiving a dental cleaning.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.

Professional Cleaning

Daily brushing and flossing will keep dental calculus to a minimum, but a professional cleaning will remove calculus in places your toothbrush and floss have missed. Your visit to our office is an important part of your program to prevent gum disease. Keep your teeth for your lifetime.

Call Today to Schedule Teeth Cleaning Services!

To improve the long-term health of your teeth and gums is to focus on routine oral hygiene. At Winston Smiles, we provide teeth cleaning, gum disease treatment, and more for adults and children across the Winston-Salem, Clemmons, Pfafftown, Lewisville, Walkertown, Lexington, Wallburg, Kernersville, High Point, Greensboro, Advance, and King, NC areas. If you’re interested in scheduling an oral hygiene cleaning, we welcome you to contact our office today!