Saliva, essentially composed of water, also contains many molecules, of differing natures, from antibodies to proteins, from cells to mineral salts.
This set of substances covers the entire oral environment, both the hard and soft tissues. This film, while on the one hand protecting the structures, on the other also permits continuous accumulation of substances with damage the tissues (bacterial plaque). This latter layer of organic substances can and must be removed with careful, constant oral hygiene, also at home, as it is the primary cause of decay and periodontal disease
Plaque accumulates on and between your teeth; your brush must be used correctly along with dental floss where your brush can’t reach, that is between the teeth.
Where plaque is not removed for a determined period of time, it solidifies and becomes tartar. If not removed plaque and tartar damage the gums and the tissues surrounding your teeth. This inflammatory process initially causes irreparable damage (it is also defined gingivitis) proceeding, where not interrupted, to irreversible damage to the deeper tissue (periodontitis) which may cause the loss of dental elements.
To obtain healthy teeth and gums, you should brush your teeth after every meal, and do so with particular attention before going to bed at night.
Your brush should have rounded bristles, be of medium hardness (for most patients, unless your dentists recommends a particular hardness) and the right size to easily reach all tooth surfaces.
A worn toothbrush, with splayed bristles, no longer elastic, not only fails to clean properly, it can also damage the soft tissue. Toothbrushes should, therefore, be replaced every 2–3 months or, in any case, as soon as the bristles begin to splay or seem worn.
To understand where plaque builds up and where dental floss doesn’t reach, use plaque colorant tablets which, when allowed to dissolve in your mouth, colour plaque to facilitate cleaning.
How should I brush my teeth?
- Position the brush at a 45° angle to your teeth and with the bristles inside the gingival groove;
- move backwards and forwards in short strokes to clean one or at most two teeth at a time, moving from the groove toward the chewing surface of the tooth;
- repeat this movement all over to surface of the teeth, while the brush must be vertical on the surface towards the tongue and palate from the front teeth;
- apply minimal force to avoid brushing injuries such as abrasion of the external surface of your teeth, while the chewing surface may be brushed with more energy.
How should dental floss be used?
Using dental floss is of fundamental importance in the area where decay processes and gingival problems often begin.
- Cut some 50 cm of dental floss (waxed or unwaxed) and wrap around your middle fingers. Hold the floss tight and as needed gripping between thumb and forefinger;
- when the floss reaches the gingival curve, wrap the floss round one tooth at a time and remove plaque with a movement towards the chewing surface;
- repeat this process for each inter-dental gap along the rear surface of each tooth;
What are inter-dental brushes and SuperFloss?
If it is difficult to use dental floss, or with bridge prostheses, implants or orthodontic braces, it ma be more practical to use an inter-dental brush or floss with a rigid section at the extremes to facilitate insertion into the areas to be cleaned.
Inter-dental brushes are used between teeth at the gum level with delicate back and forth movements. The inter-dental brush should be used before the toothbrush to make toothpaste more efficacious. Never use your inter-dental brush with toothpaste as this causes abrasions. |
