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How do I keep my teeth clean in between visits?
Easy as 1 – 2 – 3!
1) Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
2) Use floss daily to clean between your teeth.
3) Eat a healthy balanced diet.
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What is plaque?
Plaque is acid build up produced in your mouth by food you eat. This acid can cause tooth decay, irritate the gums, even causing them to eventually pull away from the teeth. If not treated plaque can lead to bone damage.
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What causes plaque?
Sugared foods – candy, cookies
Starchy foods – bread, crackers, cereal
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What can you do to prevent tooth decay?
Eat a balanced diet.
Limit the number of snacks in between meals
Eat nutritious foods such as yogurt, fruit, cheese or raw vegetables.
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What are some tips for daily oral care?
The best way to remove decay-causing plaque is by brushing and cleaning between your teeth every day. Brushing removes plaque from the tooth surfaces.
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How do I brush my teeth?
Proper tooth brushing technique.
• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.
• Move the brush back and forth gently in short strokes.
• Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
• Use the "toe" of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.
• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.
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How do I floss my teeth?
• Proper tooth flossing technique.
• Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
• Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.
• When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.
• Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up and down motions.
• Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth.
• Don't forget the back side of your last tooth.
People who have difficulty handling dental floss may prefer to use another kind of interdental cleaner. These aids include special brushes, picks or sticks. If you use interdental cleaners, ask your dentist about how to use them properly, to avoid injuring your gums.
Talk to Dr. Johnson about the best techniques for keeping your smile healthy. His practice in Washougal, WA is prepared and able to provide you with the best in cleaning and prevention care. He is currently accepting patients from Washougal and the surrounding areas of Clark County, Washington.
DENTAL EXCELLENCE - 275 PENDLETON WAY, WASHOUGAL, WA 98671 - 360.835.3738
GENERAL AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY