Dr. Ostad, D.D.S.

Prevention

Healthy Smiles Can Last a Lifetime

Aside from a dentist’s care, your personal role in maintaining a healthy smile is vital.

Regular and Proper Brushing

Use a small, soft, angled brush with rounded bristles; an ADA approved tooth brush is ideal. Electric toothbrushes are also highly recommended.
Replace the tooth brush whenever it gets worn or frayed.
Brush at least twice a day and be sure to clean all tooth surfaces thoroughly.
Hold the brush at a 45 angle at the gum line and gently brush the outer surfaces.
Use a tiny back-and forth or circular motion. Don’t scrub.
Brush the inner surfaces of the back teeth using the same back-and-forth or circular motion.
Turn the brush and use the tip to clean the inner surfaces of the upper and lower front teeth.
Clean the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Here, you can use a scrubbing motion. Brush your tongue, then rinse well.
Rinse your mouth with water after brushing.

Manual Versus Powered Toothbrushes

A key to good oral hygiene is correct and effective use of a toothbrush rather than simply an issue of powered versus manual operation.

However, one of the main advantages of powered toothbrushes is they provide means to consistently brush using an adequate technique. Beyond this point, however, there are certain other situations where use of a powered toothbrush might make sense:

Power toothbrushes can ease the chore of tooth brushing in individuals with medical conditions that limit manual dexterity (such as arthritis), or who are elderly or physically handicapped, or have oral conditions (such as misaligned teeth or teeth with uneven surfaces) that make thorough cleaning of all tooth surfaces difficult.
They can ease the chore of tooth brushing in individuals with orthodontic appliances (such as bands, brackets, and wires).
They motivate those who don’t brush their teeth regularly. Use of a powered toothbrush might be considered extra "fun" so that it encourages tooth brushing.
They fight gum disease far superior. The long-term (four to six months) use of powered toothbrushes produce significant reductions in the amount of dental plaque on the teeth and therefore improves the oral health of patients with periodontal disease.
They minimize or eliminate tooth staining. The scrubbing effect of powered toothbrushes might be superior to manual toothbrushes in possibly reducing or even totally removing surface stains on teeth.

Generate between 30,000 and 40,000 brush strokes per minute (compared with about 300 per minute with manual tooth brushing).
The bristles in the toothbrush rotate in the dentist-recommended back-and-forth motion.
The patented cleaning action of the brush directs fluids between teeth and below the gum line to gently remove plaque. Only sonic toothbrushes can make this claim.

Electric toothbrushes generate between 3,000 and 7,500 brush strokes per minute. Although individual designs differ, the bristles in the brush head are typically either set in a circular format that rotates (the entire head rotates in unison) or individual tufts of bristles within the brush head that spin independently. Some electric toothbrushes have both a rotating as well as a pulsating motion to help remove plaque and reduce gingivitis.

Toothpastes

When purchasing a toothpaste, select one that contains fluoride. Toothpastes containing fluoride have been shown to prevent cavities.

Always check the manufacturer’s label. Some toothpastes are not suggested for children under age 6. This is because young children swallow toothpaste, and swallowing too much fluoride can lead to tooth discoloration in permanent teeth.
Select a product approved by the American Dental Association (ADA). The ADA’s Seal of Acceptance means that the product has met ADA criteria for safety and effectiveness, and that packaging and advertising claims are scientifically supported. Some manufacturers choose not to seek the ADA’s Seal of Acceptance. Although these products might be safe and effective, these products’ performance have not been evaluated or endorsed by the ADA.
With the number and types of available toothpastes on the market, the best strategy to selecting among these products might be to simply ask your dental hygienist or dentist what the greatest concerns are for your mouth.
After consulting with your dentist or hygienist about your oral health’s greatest needs, look for products within that category (for example, within the tartar control brands or within the desensitizing toothpaste brands) that have received the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

Regular and Proper Flossing

Floss at least once a day, using the type of floss suggested by your dentist.
Be sure to floss both sides of each tooth.
Floss either before or after brushing.
Wrap up to eighteen inches of floss around your middle fingers. Secure it with your index fingers and thumbs.
Ease the floss between two teeth. Work the floss up and down, rubbing the floss first against one tooth, then the other. Be sure to work the floss under the gum where plaque collects.
If you have a bridge or wear braces, use a floss threader to get the floss under the bridge or the wires.