Oral Hygiene
in Calabash, NC
A healthy smile starts at home. At Deeb & Fanning DDS General Dentistry, we take time during every visit to guide you on how to care for your teeth and gums between appointments.
Whether you are managing sensitivity, early gum inflammation, or just want to improve your routine, we explain what works and why, so you can feel confident in your daily dental care.
Why Is Oral Hygiene Important?
Oral hygiene does far more than keep your teeth looking clean. A consistent routine helps:
- Prevent cavities
- Reduce gum inflammation and bleeding
- Lower the risk of gum disease
- Protect existing dental work
- Maintain fresh breath
- Support overall health
Daily care, combined with routine dental visits, keeps small concerns from becoming larger problems.
How to Brush Your Teeth
- Position the brush at a 45-degree angle where your gums and teeth meet.
- Gently move the brush in small, circular motions along the outside surfaces of your teeth.
- Use light pressure—enough to place the bristles between the teeth, but never so much that you feel discomfort.
- After cleaning the outside surfaces, repeat the same technique on the inside surfaces of the back teeth.
- To clean the inside of the upper and lower front teeth, hold the brush vertically and use gentle back-and-forth strokes over each tooth.
- Carefully brush the surrounding gum tissue.
- Clean the biting surfaces of your teeth using short, gentle strokes.
- Change the angle of the brush as needed to reach all surfaces. Watching in the mirror can help ensure you do not miss any areas.
- Rinse thoroughly when finished to remove loosened plaque.
Brush at least twice a day for two minutes each time. We recommend using a soft toothbrush and focusing on technique rather than pressure.
How to Floss
- Start with about 18 inches of floss (waxed floss is often easier to use).
- Wrap most of the floss around the middle finger of one hand and the remaining floss around the middle finger of the other hand.
- For upper teeth, hold the floss tightly between your thumb and forefinger.
- Gently guide the floss between the teeth using a back-and-forth motion. Avoid snapping it into place.
- Bring the floss to the gum line and curve it into a C-shape against one tooth.
- Slide it gently beneath the gumline until you feel light resistance.
- Move the floss up and down along one side of the tooth.
- Clean both sides of each space between teeth.
- As floss becomes soiled, shift to a clean section by unwinding from one finger and winding onto the other.
- For lower teeth, guide the floss using your forefingers.
- Remember to floss behind the last tooth on both sides, upper and lower.
- Rinse thoroughly with water when finished.
If you are new to flossing, mild soreness or slight bleeding may occur during the first week. It typically improves as your gums become healthier.
How to Choose the Right Dental Products
- Electric toothbrushes are safe and effective for most people. We often see excellent results with brands such as Rotadent® and Interplak®.
- Oral irrigators (water-spraying devices) help rinse debris but do not remove plaque. They should be used alongside brushing and flossing, not in place of them.
- Interproximal (tiny) brushes can help clean between teeth, but improper use may injure the gums. Always ask your dentist for guidance before starting.
- Fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses can reduce tooth decay by up to 40% when used with brushing and flossing. They are not recommended for children under six.
- Tartar control toothpaste helps reduce tartar above the gumline, but gum disease begins below the gumline. It hasn't been proven to reduce early-stage gum disease.
- Anti-plaque rinses approved by the American Dental Association may help manage early gum disease when used alongside brushing and flossing.
During your visit, we are happy to recommend specific products based on your oral health and personal preferences.
Ready to Visit a General Dentist?
Contact Deeb & Fanning DDS General Dentistry to ask questions, get personalized recommendations, or schedule your next appointment. We look forward to helping you maintain a healthy, confident smile.
Contact Our Team Today
Ready to transform your smile? Schedule your visit for a personalized consultation and let us help you achieve a smile you’ll be proud to show off!
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