Brushing and Flossing - The Periodontal Solution - Healthy Gums Naturally - Dr. James Harrison DDS discusses how periodontal disease / periodontal infection is linked to heart disease, stroke, obesity, and other health problems. Natural dental products and home hygiene care can help support your teeth, your gums, and your overall health.

The Periodontal Solution - Healthy Gums Naturally

Brushing and Flossing

Brushing is inexpensive and very effective. Use a soft bristle toothbrush that bends and conforms to the surface of your teeth. Toothbrush size depends on the size of the mouth. For example, small mouths require small toothbrushes. When in doubt use a small brush, just because it is easier to maneuver in the mouth.

The most important part of brushing is to make sure that every tooth gets clean. Being thorough is more important than brushing hard. The British Dental Health Foundation said regular brushing can miss up to 40% of the food particles in the mouth.157

Brush at least once a day; two or more times are better. If brushing is not possible, rinse thoroughly with water. This is especially important if sugar is consumed.

If possible, brush after each meal. Plaque reorganizes and colonizes every twenty-four hours, so it is important to prevent this from happening.

Thorough brushing should take three to five minutes. A quick once-over can be done in less than thirty seconds and will remove some food debris. But do not be fooled, you have not cleaned your teeth.

Inappropriate brushing, especially horizontal tooth brushing, is a common cause of gingival recession and tooth-surface abrasion.

Always use a soft toothbrush. Toothbrushes labeled anything other than soft are too rough and may loosen the bond between gum tissue and the tooth.

Flossing

Floss is inexpensive. A new section should be used for each tooth. Pay special attention if the floss turns red from bleeding.

Wind eighteen inches of dental floss around the middle fingers of each hand, leaving about five inches between the hands.

Pinch the floss between the thumbs and index fingers and leave about one inch in-between to work with.

Use a sawing motion, gently bringing the floss through the tight spaces of the teeth.

If the teeth are too tight to floss, or if the floss catches or tears, the dentist should be notified.

Pull the floss tightly in a C shape around the side of the tooth and slide it under the gum line.

Do not snap the floss against the gums.

Curve the floss around each tooth and gently scrape from just below the gum to the top of the tooth several times.

Never force dental floss deep into the gums.

When all the plaque has been removed, you will hear the floss start to squeak.

Wind the floss to a fresh section.

Always rinse or irrigate after flossing, preferably with an antimicrobial solution.

For more information and illustrations on home hygiene techniques please refer to The Periodontal Solution: Healthy Gums Naturally

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