Maintain Your Oral Hygiene With Female Dentist in Brandon – Bridges Dental

1
TELEPHONE Phone [phone]Fax [phone]
MAILING ADDRESS Bridges Dental 3646 Lithia
Pinecrest Road Valrico, FL 33596
www.bridgesdental.com
2
DENTAL HEALTH VALRICO FL
At Bridges Dental, Female Dentist in Brandon Dr.
Laura Bridges is prepared to answer all questions
pertaining to your dental health and appearance.
Oral hygiene, specifically brushing and flossing,
are a vital part of your dental health. We can
also answer your questions about the different
dental specialties and explain the meaning of
dental terms.
Dental Health Includes
Oral Hygiene Child Dentistry Prophylaxis (Teeth
Cleaning) Dental Dictionary Periodontal
Maintenance Arestin Dental Specialties
3
ORAL HYGIENE
WHY IS ORAL HYGIENE SO IMPORTANT?
Adults over 35 lose more teeth to gum diseases
(periodontal disease) than from cavities. Three
out of four adults are affected at some time in
their life. The best way to prevent cavities
and periodontal disease is by good tooth brushing
and flossing techniques, performed
daily. Periodontal disease and decay are both
caused by bacterial plaque. Plaque is a colorless
film, which sticks to your teeth at the gum line.
Plaque constantly forms on your teeth. By
thorough daily brushing and flossing you can
remove these germs and help prevent periodontal
disease.
4
HOW TO BRUSH TEETH
If you have any pain while brushing your teeth or
have any questions about how to brush properly,
please be sure to call the office
at 813-654-3399. Dr. Bridges recommends using a
soft to medium tooth brush. Position the brush at
a 45 degree angle where your gums and teeth meet.
Gently move the brush in a circular motion
several times using small, gentle strokes
brushing the outside surfaces of your teeth. Use
light pressure while putting the bristles between
the teeth, but not so much pressure that you feel
any discomfort. When you are done cleaning the
outside surfaces of all your teeth, follow the
same directions while cleaning the inside of the
back teeth.
5
HOW TO FLOSS
Periodontal disease usually appears between the
teeth where your toothbrush cannot
reach. Flossing is a very effective way to remove
plaque from those surfaces. However, it is
important to develop the proper technique. The
following instructions will help you, but
remember it takes time and practice.
To clean the upper teeth, hold the floss tightly
between the thumb and forefinger of each hand.
Gently insert the floss tightly between the teeth
using a back-and-forth motion. 
To clean between the bottom teeth, guide the
floss using the forefingers of both hands. Do not
forget the back side of the last tooth on both
sides, upper and lower.
When you are done, rinse vigorously with water to
remove plaque and food particles.
If your gums hurt while flossing you could be
doing it too hard or pinching the gum. As you
floss daily and remove the plaque your gums will
heal and the bleeding should stop.
6
CARING FOR SENSITIVE TEETH
Sometimes after dental treatment, teeth are
sensitive to hot and cold. This should not last
long, but only if the mouth is kept clean. If the
mouth is not kept clean the sensitivity will
remain and could become more severe. If your
teeth are especially sensitive consult with your
dentist. They may recommend a medicated
toothpaste or mouth rinse made especially for
sensitive teeth.
PROFESSIONAL DENTAL CLEANING
Daily brushing and flossing will keep dental
calculus to a minimum, but a professional dental
cleaning will remove calculus in places your
toothbrush and floss have missed. Your visit to
our office is an important part of your program
to prevent gum disease with Lithia/Brandon
dentist. Keep your teeth for your lifetime.
7
(No Transcript)