Brushing & Flossing

What is the importance of brushing and flossing? Learn about healthy home care for your teeth and mouth from Today's Dental in Edmonton.

At-Home Oral Care

A healthy smile is our goal when treating patients. Your personal home care plays an important role in achieving that goal. Your personal home care starts by eating balanced meals, reducing the number of snacks you eat, and correctly using the various dental aids that help control the plaque and bacteria that cause dental disease.

Brushing Your Teeth

Brush your teeth at least twice a day (especially before going to bed at night) with an ADA approved soft bristle brush and toothpaste.
Place the brush at a 45-degree angle to the gums and gently brush using a small, circular motion, ensuring that you always feel the bristles on the gums
Brush the outer, inner, and biting surfaces of each tooth
Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside of the front teeth
Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath
Electric toothbrushes are also recommended. They are easy to use and can remove plaque efficiently. Simply place the bristles of the electric brush on your gums and teeth and allow the brush to do its job, several teeth at a time.

Flossing Your Teeth

Daily flossing is the best way to clean between the teeth and under the gum line. Flossing not only helps clean these spaces, it disrupts plaque colonies from building up, preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone.
Take 12-16 inches (30-40cm) of dental floss and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches (5cm) of floss between the hands
Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently insert the floss between teeth using a sawing motion
Curve the floss into a “C” shape around each tooth and under the gum line
Gently move the floss up and down, cleaning the side of each tooth
Floss holders are recommended if you have difficulty using conventional floss.

Rinsing your Teeth & Mouth

It is important to rinse your mouth with water after brushing, and after meals if you are unable to brush.

If you are using an over-the-counter product for rinsing, it’s a good idea to consult with your dentist or dental hygienist on its appropriateness for you.

Use other dental aids as recommended by your dentist or dental hygienist. Interdental brushes, rubber tip stimulators, tongue cleaners, irrigation devices, fluoride, and medicated rinses can all play a role in good dental home care.

4 Reasons Proper Brushing & Flossing are Essential

Prevention of tooth decay
Tooth decay is one of the leading causes of tooth loss, and its treatment often requires complex dental procedures. Tooth decay occurs when the acids found in plaque erode the natural enamel found on the teeth. This phenomenon can easily be prevented by using proper home hygiene methods.
Prevention of periodontal disease
Periodontal disease is a serious, progressive condition which can cause tooth loss, gum recession and jawbone recession. Periodontal disease is caused by the toxins found in plaque and can lead to serious health problems in other parts of the body. Removing plaque and calculus (tartar) from the surface of the tooth using a toothbrush, and from the interdental areas using dental floss, is an excellent way to stave off periodontal problems.

Prevention of halitosis
Bad breath or halitosis is usually caused by old food particles on or between the teeth. These food particles can be removed with regular brushing and flossing; leaving the mouth healthier, and breath smelling fresher.
Prevention of staining
Staining or the yellowing of teeth can be caused by a wide variety of factors such as smoking, coffee and tea. The more regularly these staining agents are removed from the teeth using brushing and flossing techniques, the less likely it is that the stains will become permanent.

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