Importance of oral hygiene

Gum disease (periodontal disease) causes tooth loss after 35 years of age. This decay/damage is more than that from caries/cavities. The best way to prevent caries/cavities and Gum disease (periodontal disease) is only by good tooth brushing and tooth flossing done on a routine basis.

Why Gum disease (periodontal disease) and caries/cavities occur?

both periodontal disease and caries are caused by accumulation of the bacterial plaque. Plaque is a invisible with naked eye and is adhered to surface of tooth, near neck of tooth gumline. once formed it continues to get deposited on the tooth surface.

Why to Brush?

Daily tooth brushing and flossing can remove plaque from tooth surface and save teeth.

How to Brush?

Brush both outer and inner surfaces of front and back teeth

Use a soft tooth brush and avoid a hard tooth brush, it can injure gums

keep the brush at a 45 degree angle at the junction where gums and teeth meet. Gently move the brush in a circular motion several times using small, gentle strokes brushing both outside and inside surfaces of teeth. gentle pressure should be applied to clean this area.

For cleaning the inner surfaces of the upper and lower front teeth, tooth brush should be held vertically. Make gentle back-and-forth strokes over each tooth surface several times and gently clean the surrounding gum tissue also.

Most important surface to clean is the biting/crushing surfaces of back teeth. clean it by using small, 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.

Today several electric toothbrushes are also available which are good in tooth surface cleaning and plaque removal.