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| TOOTH DESCRIPTION |
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GOLDEN RULES |
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There are FIVE Golden Rules to prevent tooth decay and gum disease |
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Eat foods that have vitamins and minerals. |
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Don’t eat sweet or starchy foods between meals. |
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After every meal, brush your teeth. (Your brush downwards on upper teeth, upwards on lower teeth, back and forth on chewing surfaces.) |
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Use trusted dental aids. |
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Visit your dentist once in six months. |
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ORAL HYGIENE |
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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 (GUM) disease is by good tooth brushing and flossing techniques, performed daily. |
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Periodontal (GUM) disease and decay are both caused by bacterial plaque. 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. |
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| HOW TO BRUSH |
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Proper brushing is essential for cleaning teeth and gums effectively. Use a toothbrush with medium, nylon, round-ended bristles that will not scratch and irritate teeth or damage gums.
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Place bristles along the gumline at a 45-degree angle. Bristles should contact both the tooth surface and the gumline. |
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Proper Brushing |
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Gently brush the outer tooth surfaces of 2-3 teeth using a vibrating back & forth rolling motion. Move brush to the next group of 2-3 teeth and repeat. |
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Maintain a 45-degree angle with bristles contacting the tooth surface and gumline. Gently brush using back, forth, and rolling motion along all of the inner tooth surfaces. |
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Tilt brush vertically behind the front teeth. Make several up & down strokes using the front half of the brush. |
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Place the brush against the biting surface of the teeth & use a gentle back & forth scrubbing motion. Brush the tongue from back to front to remove odor-producing bacteria. |
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| Remember to replace your toothbrush every |
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Three to four months. Researchers have established that thousands of microbes grow on toothbrush bristles and handles. Most are harmless, but others can cause cold and flu viruses, the herpes virus that causes cold sores and bacteria that can cause periodontal infections. |
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HOW TO FLOSS |
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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. |
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| PROFESSIONAL CLEANING |
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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 healthy for your lifetime. |
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