Improve Your Oral Hygiene Routine with Proper Brushing and Flossing Techniques

Although Dr. Andrew G. Mortensen offers a comprehensive range of restorative dental services, it is always his goal to help patients preserve good oral health and prevent serious dental complications. One way in which he does this is by offering general dentistry services that monitor and preserve the health of the teeth and gums. These services, which include routine dental exams and cleanings, are important to a patient’s oral health. However, another important part of helping patents preserve good oral health is education. Even with twice yearly dental exams, the majority of oral health care is performed at home. To ensure that patients are getting the most out of these at-home oral hygiene routines, Dr. Mortensen teaches Fountain Valley patients proper brushing and flossing techniques. By using proper oral hygiene techniques, patients can significantly decrease their risk of developing dental problems or other oral health complications.

Proper Brushing Techniques

Dr. Mortensen regularly sees patients who are unhappy with the state of their oral health, despite the fact that they brush the teeth regularly. In many of these cases, patients are simply not using the most effective brushing techniques. While any brushing can be beneficial, by using the following techniques, patients can get maximum results from their brushing routine:

• Use a small head toothbrush with soft bristles, which will adequately remove plaque and can reach all areas of the mouth
• Use short, gentle strokes, as too much pressure can actually damage tooth enamel
• Brush for at least two minutes (timing yourself is a good idea, as many patients do not come close to meeting this minimum)
• Brush all surfaces of the teeth, including the facial surface of the top and bottom teeth, the back surface of the top and bottom teeth, and the biting surface of the top and bottom teeth
• Brush gently at the gum line
• Brush the tongue to freshen breath and eliminate harmful bacteria
• Replace your toothbrush once it begins to show wear (typically after three months of use)

Proper Flossing Techniques

Flossing is an important oral hygiene habit that is often ignored. Below are some flossing techniques that will help to ensure the teeth and gums are effectively cleaned:

• Work with a long piece of floss (at least 18 inches) for maximum control
• Wrap most of the floss around the gripping fingers, leaving about two inches to work between the teeth
• Slide floss gently up and down between each tooth, curving it into a “c” position at the base of the tooth so that it slides between the tooth and the gum line
• Use a gentle back and forth motion to slide the floss back out of the tooth
• Use a fresh, clean section of floss for each tooth

Schedule an Appointment

Proper brushing and flossing techniques are a great benefit to a patient’s oral health, but it is always important to maintain a good relationship with a skilled and experienced dentist such as Dr. Andrew G. Mortensen. If you are in need of a routine dental exam or are looking to improve your oral health or the appearance of your smile, schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience to learn how Dr. Mortensen can help. We look forward to hearing from you!