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. Dr. Derakshani is committed to reverse this tragic statistic through a team effort by which patients make the commitment to follow an effective home care in conjunction with regular office visits to see the dental hygienist. This team approach has shown to be the best way to prevent cavities and periodontal disease. It is also the most cost effective solution to oral health issues. There are unique features that make the mouth unlike any other part of the body that requires this combined effort to keep healthy. This is the most urgent issue facing our dental health today. Remember, a healthy gum would not bleed when brushing or flossing.
By keeping the mouth healthy, we can help alleviate a host of systemic problems. Scientists and researchers have been increasingly noticing and verifying links between diseases from other parts of the body to the health of the mouth. It is astonishing. We have many successful cases for this team effort with patients who have controlled their disease and maintained their oral health long term.
routine hygiene visits
Our goal for all our patients is to keep their dental visits to absolute minimum. Therefore, we treat every patient so that their main visits to our office is to see our highly qualified hygienists, not the doctor! While daily home care is essential, it is the routine visits to the hygienist that is the game-changer. We assume you want to keep your teeth forever. We assume that you do NOT want your mouth jeopardize your overall health. That is the core of our team approach to your oral health.
Home care
Dr. Derakshani recommends using a soft 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.
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. If you see any bleeding, please contact us right away.
Flossing helps reduce plaque from in between surfaces of your teeth. 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, 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. 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.
When you are done, rinse vigorously with water to remove plaque and food particles. If you see any bleeding, contact us right away; it may be a sign of a serious condition. Do not delay.
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) are useful. You need to brush and floss in conjunction with the irrigators.
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 hygienist.
Fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses, if used in conjunction with brushing and flossing, can reduce tooth decay as much as 40%. Remember, these rinses are not recommended for children under six years of age. Tartar control toothpastes will reduce tartar above the gum line, but gum disease starts below the gum line so these products have not been proven to reduce the early stage of gum disease.
Anti-plaque rinses, approved by the American Dental Association, contain agents that may help fight gum disease in its early stage. Your hygienist may recommend these product as part of your comprehensive treatment.
Dr. Derakshani is your top-rated Dentist in Huntington Beach
714-846-2827 Appointments