Here at Britten Periodontics, Dr. Britten and his dental hygiene team work together with our patients to tailor home oral care recommendations, focusing on a very personalized approach to treatment and prevention.

Home oral care is such an important contributor to oral health, and can help lessen the need for extensive dental problems. Here are some of our top tips to good oral hygiene!

Part 1: PROPER TOOTHBRUSHING

• A proper toothbrushing technique is essential for keeping your teeth and gums healthy.
• Brush gently, thoughtfully and thoroughly twice a day to minimize the debris and bacteria in your mouth.
• Bristle selection: Bristles that are too hard, or an incorrect technique of brushing can cause your gums to be damaged during the toothbrushing process and can cause them to recede (gum recession) or cause destruction (abrasion) to the teeth and roots.
• We recommend changing your toothbrush at least every 90 days or after an illness.
• Hold the toothbrush at a 45° angle so that the filaments reach the gum line. Brush with light pressure using small circular or vibrating movements. Brush the inside, outside and biting surfaces of the teeth.
• Brush twice a day for at least four minutes if using a manual toothbrush.

We recommend the Sonicare Power Toothbrush for our patients.

• Divide your mouth into four quadrants. This can help ensure that you brush each section of your teeth and mouth cavity.
• Hold your toothbrush at a 45 ­degree angle to your gum line with a Sonicare or 90 degrees with an oscillating brush such as the Oral B.
• Apply gentle pressure, keeping the bristles in contact with your tooth surface and gum line, which can help ensure you get the most effective result possible.
• Stay on each area for 30 seconds, moving the brush only when it is time to go to the next area. Once you’ve completed this procedure for a quadrant, move to the inner surfaces of your teeth and repeat the same procedure.
• To brush behind your front teeth, tilt the brush vertically using only the front half of your brush.
• Clean biting surfaces, your tongue, and soft palate. This can help remove debris and other odor ­causing bacteria.

Stay Tuned for Our Next Blog Article – Where We Will Talk About How To Take Care of Your Teeth In Between and Other Oral Hygiene Aids!