Oral Hygiene

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 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 gum line. Plaque constantly forms on your teeth. By thorough daily brushing and flossing you can remove these germs and help prevent periodontal disease.

At Hornsby Family Dental Care, we help patients of all ages build the habits that protect their teeth and gums long-term.

How to Brush Teeth

Our dentists recommend using a soft to medium tooth brush. 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.

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. 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 gum line 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.

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.

Choosing Oral Hygiene Products

There 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 by as much as 40%. Remember, these rinses are not recommended for children under six years of age.

Tartar control toothpastes will reduce tartar buildup above the gum line, but since gum disease starts below the gum line, these products have not been proven to reduce the early stage of gum disease. For tartar that has already hardened, only a professional clean can remove it.

Anti-plaque rinses approved by the Australian Dental Association, contain agents that may help bring the early gum disease under control. Use these in conjunction with brushing and flossing.

Professional Dental Cleaning

Daily brushing and flossing will keep dental calculus to a minimum, but a professional dental cleaning will remove calculus in places your toothbrush and floss have missed.Your visit to Hornsby Family Dental Care is an important part of your program to prevent gum disease.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I brush and floss my teeth?
You should brush your teeth at least twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed using a soft to medium toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Flossing should be done at least once daily, ideally before brushing at night, to remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach. Consistent daily brushing and flossing is the most effective way to prevent cavities and gum disease.

Why do my gums bleed when I floss?
Some bleeding during the first week of flossing is normal and usually indicates that plaque has been building up between the teeth and along the gum line. As you floss daily and the plaque is removed, your gums will become healthier and the bleeding should stop within a week or two. If bleeding persists beyond this period or is accompanied by pain or swelling, it is worth scheduling a visit to Hornsby Family Dental Care, as this may be an early sign of gum disease.

What is the correct way to brush my teeth?
Position your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle where the gums and teeth meet. Using small, gentle circular strokes, clean the outer surfaces of all teeth, followed by the inner surfaces of the back teeth. For the inner surfaces of the front teeth, hold the brush vertically and use gentle back-and-forth strokes. Finish by cleaning the biting surfaces using short, gentle strokes. Rinse thoroughly when done. Avoid brushing too hard, as this can damage the enamel and irritate the gum tissue.

What causes gum disease and how can I prevent it?
Gum disease is caused by bacterial plaque, a colourless film that forms constantly on the teeth at the gum line. If plaque is not removed through daily brushing and flossing, it can irritate and infect the gum tissue, eventually leading to periodontal disease. In fact, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults over 35. The best prevention is a consistent daily oral hygiene routine combined with regular professional dental cleanings.

How often should I have a professional dental clean?
Most patients benefit from a professional dental cleaning every six months. Even with excellent brushing and flossing habits at home, plaque can harden into calculus in areas that are difficult to reach, and this can only be removed by a dental professional. Regular cleaning visits also give your dentist the opportunity to detect any early signs of decay, gum disease, or other oral health concerns before they develop into more serious problems.

What toothbrush should I use?
Our dentists recommend using a soft to medium toothbrush to effectively clean the teeth without causing damage to the enamel or gums. Electric toothbrushes, such as rotary models, are safe and effective for most patients and can be particularly helpful for those who find manual brushing difficult or less thorough. Replace your toothbrush or brush head every three months, or sooner if the bristles become frayed.

Are fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinses worth using?
Yes. Fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinses, when used alongside regular brushing and flossing, can reduce tooth decay by as much as 40 percent. Fluoride helps to strengthen tooth enamel and makes it more resistant to acid attacks from plaque and food. Note that fluoride mouth rinses are not recommended for children under six years of age. If you are unsure which products are most suitable for your needs, our team is happy to advise during your next visit.

My teeth are sensitive after dental treatment, is this normal?
Some sensitivity to hot and cold following dental treatment is common and usually temporary. Keeping your mouth clean during this period is important, as sensitivity tends to resolve more quickly when good oral hygiene is maintained. If sensitivity is severe, persists for more than a few days, or occurs without a recent procedure, consult your dentist. A medicated toothpaste or mouth rinse designed for sensitive teeth may be recommended.

For more information on gum disease prevention, visit healthdirect.gov.au.