Flossing

1
Flossing Brushing Techniques

• SSG Terwelp
• 7228th MSU
• 68E

2
Terminal Learning Objective

• Given the appropriate information, identify the
  basic facts and general principles relating to
  personal hygiene and proper oral hygiene
  techniques

3
Objectives of Good Personal Hygiene

• To preserve health
• To prevent diseases
• To avoid offensive odor or appearance

4
Goal of Oral Hygiene

• Complete removal of plaque at least every 24
  hours
• Prevents dental decay and gum disease
• Reduces bad breath

5
Toothbrushes

• Acceptable designs are
• Soft, rounded, nylon, or other synthetic brushes
• ADA approved
• Unacceptable designs are
• Too stiff or flexible handle
• Head too large
• Bristles too hard

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Floss

• Types
• Unwaxed
• Waxed
• Dental tape / large wax
• Used to remove debris and plaque between teeth
• ADA Approved

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Acceptable Brushing Methods

• Performing once daily, preferably twice
• 45 degree angle to the teeth
• insert bristles under the gum line
• Gentle pressure, back and forth method
• Insert brush vertically to clean tongue side of
  teeth
• Clean the top (grinding portion) of teeth
• Press bristles firmly, deep into grooves and pits
• Use short, back and forth strokes

8
Unacceptable Brushing Methods

• Anything that may cause damage to your teeth
  and/or gums
• Horizontal
• Long, back and forth strokes may irritate gums
• Also wears away root surface

9
Unacceptable Brushing Methods

• Roll and stroke
• Rolling brush from gumline toward crown
• This misses the gumline
• Up and down
• Brushing up and down on both arches at the same
  time
• This misses the gumline and bottom third of teeth

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Basic Flossing Techniques

• Performing once daily
• Use a total of 18 inches of floss
• Wrap around middle fingers
• Touch tips of thumbs with hands extended
• Leave ½ inch between fingertips
• Insert floss between teeth using sawing motion

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Basic Flossing Techniques

• Wrap floss against tooth
• Apply moderate pressure
• Carefully slide floss under gumline
• Move floss up and down from bottom of gumline to
  insertion point
• Repeat this procedure for each contact area, or
  between all teeth

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Basic Flossing Techniques

• If you have a crown
• Push floss between the teeth, but dont move up
  and down
• This may cause the crown to pop off
• Pull the length of the floss through the teeth by
  gumline and repeat around both sides of tooth
• Use this procedure for a bridge too

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Supplemental Aids

• Devices proven helpful, but not necessary in
  plaque removal
• Dentrifice (toothpaste)
• Mouthwashes / mouthrinses
• Electric toothbrushes and water irrigating
  devices
• You should use at least one of these to prevent
  gingivitis and other diseases
• Plaque removal is just the first step

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Review

• Identify the 3 objectives of good personal
  hygiene

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Review

• Identify the goal of oral hygiene
• What are the 2 reasons for this goal?

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Review

• Identify the 3 supplemental aids to good oral
  hygiene

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Review

• What are some acceptable and unacceptable
  techniques to brushing?
• Flossing?

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Remember

• All of your products should be approved by the
  American Dental Association (ADA)

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Conclusion

• Now you should know what the goals of personal
  and oral hygiene are
• You should be able to acceptably brush and floss
  your teeth to remove plaque and not cause harm to
  your mouth
• Your next visit to the dentist should be
  worry-free!

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After Action Review (AAR)

• What was supposed to happen?
• What actually happened?
• What were the strengths to this presentation?
• Weaknesses?
• What improvements could be made next time?