A preventive dental care program is a cooperative effort by the patient, Dr. Dudee, and our dental care staff to preserve natural teeth and supporting structures by preventing the onset, progression, and recurrence of dental diseases and conditions.
Preventing dental disease starts at home with good oral hygiene and a balanced diet. It continues in our Morrisville dental office through our team’s efforts to promote, restore, and maintain your oral health.
Prevention also includes regular dental exams, cleanings, and x-rays. Sealants and fluoride are also great preventive treatments that help protect the teeth.
Preventive dental care helps prevent serious and costly dental problems and is key to a healthy, confident, beautiful smile.
Routine Dental Exams & Cleanings
Dr. Dudee and our dental care team will perform a comprehensive dental exam at your initial visit. At regular check-up exams, Dr. Dudee and our hygienist will perform the following:
- Examination of diagnostic X-rays (radiographs): Essential for detecting decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss. X-rays also help determine tooth and root positions.
- Oral cancer screening: Check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer.
- Gum disease evaluation: Check the gums and surrounding bone for signs of periodontal disease.
- Examination of tooth decay: We will check all tooth surfaces for decay using specialized dental instruments.
- Exam of existing restorations: We will check current fillings, crowns, etc.
Registered Dental Hygienists usually perform professional dental cleanings (dental prophylaxis). Your cleaning appointment will include a dental exam and the following:
- Removal of calculus (tartar): Calculus is hardened plaque that has been left on the tooth for some time and is now firmly attached to the tooth surface. Calculus forms above and below the gum line and can only be removed with special dental instruments.
- Plaque removal: Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms on the teeth. It’s a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva. The bacteria produce toxins (poisons) that cause gum inflammation. This inflammation can lead to periodontal disease.
- Teeth polishing: Removes stains and plaque not removed during toothbrushing and scaling.
Oral Hygiene Aids
Regular dental check-ups are essential for maintaining excellent oral hygiene and diagnosing potential problems, but they are not a “fix-all” solution. Practice thorough oral home care routines daily to prevent future dental problems.
Periodontal disease (also called gum disease and periodontitis) is the leading cause of tooth loss in the developed world and is completely preventable in the vast majority of cases. Professional cleanings twice a year combined with daily self-cleaning can remove a high percentage of disease-causing bacteria and plaque.
Supermarket shelves offer many oral hygiene aids, and it can be hard to know which will best benefit your teeth. Here are some of the most common oral hygiene aids for home care:
Dental Flosses
Dental floss is the most common interdental and subgingival (below the gum) cleaner and comes in many types and flavors. The floss is made from thin nylon filaments or polyethylene ribbons and helps remove food particles and plaque between teeth. Vigorous flossing with a floss holder can cause soft tissue damage and bleeding, so use it with care. Floss should normally be used twice daily after brushing.
Interdental Cleaners
Many hygienists and periodontists recommend interdental brushes in addition to dental floss. These tiny brushes are gentle on the gums and very effective at cleaning the contours of the teeth between the gums. Interdental brushes come in various shapes and sizes.
Mouth Rinses
Two basic types of mouth rinses are available: cosmetic rinses, which are sold over the counter and temporarily suppress bad breath, and therapeutic rinses, which may or may not require a prescription. Most dentists are skeptical of cosmetic rinses because several studies show their effectiveness against plaque is minimal. Therapeutic rinses, however, are FDA-regulated and contain active ingredients that can help reduce bad breath, plaque, and cavities. Generally, use mouth rinses after brushing.
Oral Irrigators
Oral irrigators, such as Water Jets and Waterpik, remove debris from below the gum line. Water is continuously sprayed from tiny jets into the gum pockets, helping remove harmful bacteria and food particles. Overall, oral irrigators have proven effective in reducing the risk of gum disease but should not replace brushing and flossing. Professional cleanings are recommended at least twice annually to remove deeper debris.
Rubber Tip Stimulators
The rubber tip stimulator is an excellent tool for removing plaque around the gum line and stimulating blood flow to the gums. Gently trace the rubber tip stimulator along the outer and inner gum line at least once each day. Rinse any plaque on the tip with tap water. Replace the tip as soon as it starts to look worn, and store the stimulator in a cool, dry place.
Tongue Cleaners
Tongue cleaners are specialized devices designed to remove buildup of bacteria, fungi, and food debris from the tongue surface. The fungi and bacteria that colonize the tongue have been linked to halitosis (bad breath) and many systemic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, respiratory disease, and stroke.
Tongue cleaners can be made from metal, wood, or plastic and shaped to fit the contours of the tongue. Clean your tongue before brushing to prevent ingesting fungi and bacteria.
Toothbrushes
Many toothbrush types are available. Dr. Dudee generally recommends electric toothbrushes because they are much more effective than manual brushes. The vibrating or rotary motion helps to easily dislodge plaque and remove food particles from around the gums and teeth. You can get similar results with a manual brush, but it takes much more effort.
Replace manual toothbrushes every three months because worn bristles become ineffective over time. Soft-bristled toothbrushes are far less damaging to gum tissue than medium- or hard-bristled varieties. Also, choose an appropriately sized ADA-approved toothbrush to clean all your teeth properly. Ideally, brush your teeth after each meal, or at least twice a day.
If you have any questions about oral hygiene aids, please contact our Morrisville dental practice or ask our team at your next routine dental care appointment.
At-Home Oral Hygiene
Our ultimate goal when treating patients is a beautiful, healthy smile that lasts a lifetime. Your personal home care plays an important role in achieving that goal. Your home care starts with eating balanced meals, reducing snacks, and using dental aids correctly to control the plaque and bacteria that cause dental disease.
Tooth brushing – Brush your teeth at least twice a day (especially before bed) with an ADA-approved soft-bristled brush and toothpaste.
- Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to the gums and gently brush in small, circular motions, making sure the bristles reach the gums.
- Brush the outer, inner, and biting surfaces of each tooth.
- Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside of the front teeth.
- Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.
Electric toothbrushes are also recommended. They are easy to use and can remove plaque efficiently. Simply place the bristles on your gums and teeth and let the brush do its job, several teeth at a time.
Flossing – Daily flossing is the best way to clean between the teeth and under the gumline. Flossing not only cleans these spaces, but also disrupts plaque buildup, preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone.
- Take 12-16 inches (30 to 40 cm) of dental floss and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches (5cm) of floss between the hands.
- Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently insert the floss between teeth using a sawing motion.
- Curve the floss into a “C” shape around each tooth and under the gumline. Gently move the floss up and down to clean the side of each tooth.
Floss holders are recommended if you have difficulty using conventional floss.
Rinsing – Rinse your mouth with water after brushing and after meals if you can’t brush. If you use an over-the-counter rinsing product, consult your dentist or dental hygienist about whether it’s appropriate for you.
Use other dental aids as recommended by your dentist or dental hygienist: interdental brushes, rubber tip stimulators, tongue cleaners, irrigation devices, fluoride, medicated rinses, etc., can all support good dental home care.
How to Properly Brush & Floss
Brushing and flossing are essential to oral hygiene. Though biannual professional dental cleanings remove plaque, tartar, and debris, excellent home care methods are equally valuable. Proper brushing and flossing can improve oral health, make your smile sparkle, and prevent serious diseases.
Reasons why proper brushing and flossing are essential:
- Prevention of tooth decay – Tooth decay is a leading cause of tooth loss, and its treatment often requires complex dental procedures. Tooth decay occurs when the acids found in plaque erode the natural enamel found on the teeth. This phenomenon can be prevented with proper home hygiene.
- Prevention of periodontal disease – Periodontal disease is a serious, progressive condition that can cause tooth loss, gum recession, and jawbone recession. Periodontal disease is caused by the toxins found in plaque and can lead to serious health problems in other parts of the body. Removing plaque and calculus (tartar) from the tooth surface with a toothbrush and from the interdental areas with dental floss is an excellent way to stave off periodontal problems.
- Prevention of halitosis – Bad breath or halitosis is usually caused by old food particles on or between the teeth. Regular brushing and flossing remove these food particles, leaving your mouth healthier and your breath fresher.
- Prevention of staining – Staining, or yellowing, of teeth can be caused by a wide variety of factors, such as smoking, coffee, and tea. The more regularly you remove these staining agents with brushing and flossing, the less likely the stains are to become permanent.
The Proper Way to Brush
Brush your teeth at least twice a day, ideally in the morning and before bed. The perfect toothbrush is small, with soft, rounded-end bristles, and no more than three months old. The brush head needs to be small enough to reach all areas of the mouth, and the bristles should be soft enough not to damage gum tissue. The American Dental Association (ADA) has given electric toothbrushes its seal of approval, stating that those with rotating or oscillating heads are more effective than other toothbrushes.
Here is a basic guide to proper brushing:
- Place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle where the gums and teeth meet.
- Use small circular motions to gently brush the gumline and teeth.
- Do not scrub or apply too much pressure, as this can damage the gums and tooth enamel.
- Brush every surface of every tooth. Cheek-side, tongue-side, and chewing surfaces. Place special emphasis on the surfaces of the back teeth.
Use back-and-forth strokes to brush the chewing surfaces. - Brush the tongue to remove fungi, food, and debris.
The Proper Way to Floss
Flossing is a great way to remove plaque from the interdental regions (between the teeth). Flossing is especially important for preventing periodontal disease and limiting the depth of gum pockets. The interdental regions are difficult to reach with a toothbrush and should be cleaned with dental floss daily. The flavor and type of floss are unimportant; choose floss that will be easy and pleasant to use.
Here is a basic guide to proper flossing:
- Cut a piece of floss to around 18 inches long.
- Wrap one end of the floss around the middle finger of the left hand and the other end around the middle finger of the right hand until the hands are 2-3 inches apart.
- Gently work the floss between the teeth toward the gum line.
- Curve the floss in a U-shape around each individual tooth and carefully slide it beneath the gum line.
- Carefully move the floss up and down several times to remove interdental plaque and debris.
- Do not pop the floss in and out between the teeth, as this will inflame and cut the gums.
If you have any questions about the correct way to brush or floss, please contact our Morrisville dental office.
