Dental Cleaning Fairhope AL

Brush or Floss…….Which Comes First?

A question that seems to be asked to dentists by their patients is “Which do I do first?  Brush or Floss?”  Which comes first really doesn’t make a difference, as long as you do a thorough job!  Consistently brushing and flossing is the best way to remove the decay-causing plaque from the teeth and help you to maintain your best oral health!

Make sure to find a toothbrush that is most comfortable in your hand, and also in your mouth.  Use it two times a day!  Place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.  Move the toothbrush back and forth, very gently, and in short strokes.  Brush the outer tooth’s surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.  Make sure to also brush the inside surfaces of the front teeth.

Brushing removes plaque from the tooth’s surface, it alone can’t remove all the plaque.  The teeth need to be cleaned daily with floss to remove the debris.  Your toothbrush simply can’t reach some areas.

If handling dental floss is difficult, you may want to try a different interdental cleaner.  Some of these aids include a special brush, picks, or sticks.  If you use these, ask your dentist about how to use them so you can avoid injury to the gums. Dental Cleaning Fairhope AL

So, how do you know that what you are doing is working?  Ask your dentist about using plaque-disclosing tablets! You can find them over-the-counter at pharmacies and other stores that sell oral hygiene products.  When a plaque-disclosing tablet is chewed after you have cleaned your mouth, the red dye will stain the plaque that has been left behind.  This shows you spots that need additional cleaning.  Dental Cleaning Fairhope AL

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