Oral Hygiene

You should brush your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day to remove plaque and to prevent tooth decay. Follow the steps below for proper brushing. Contact your doctor if you have any questions.

1. Place your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to your gum.
2. Brush gently in a circular motion.
3. Brush the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of each tooth.
4. Use the tip of your brush for the inner surface of your front teeth.

You should floss your teeth thoroughly at least once a day to remove plaque from the areas that your toothbrush cannot reach. Follow the steps below for proper flossing, and contact your doctor if you have any questions.

1. Wind about 18 inches of floss around your fingers as shown. Most of it should be wrapped around one finger, and as the floss is used, the other finger takes it up.
2. Use your thumbs and forefingers to guide about one inch of floss between your teeth.
3. Holding the floss tightly, gently saw the floss between your teeth. Then curve the floss into a C-shape against one tooth and gently slide it beneath your gums.
4. Slide the floss up and down, repeating for each tooth.

Tooth decay is preventable. Tooth decay is caused by sugars left in your mouth that turn into an acid which can break down your teeth. Children are at high risk for tooth decay for a simple reason – many children and adolescents tend to be lax in their oral hygiene habits. Proper brushing and flossing routines combined with regular dental visits help keep tooth decay away. A low-sugar diet also helps keep tooth decay at bay.

Your child should visit the dentist every 6 months for regular dental cleanings and checkups. We recommend fluoride treatments twice a year along with cleanings to keep teeth their strongest. Tooth sealants are also recommended because they “seal” the deep grooves in your child’s teeth, preventing decay from forming in these hard-to-reach areas. Sealants last for several years, but will be monitored at your regular checkups.