At AZ Dental, your smile is our number one priority. One of the most important aspects of dental care is maintaining a good oral hygiene routine at home. This includes flossing, brushing, and maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet. Drs. Navdeep Aulakh, Parin Patel, Kevin Hashemi, Heidi Lee, Nipa Shetha, and Victoria Furman will review your oral hygiene routine with you and make recommendations about how you can improve it. Call us at 408-437-1111 to schedule your appointment with our dentists and learn more about oral hygiene in San Jose, California.
Good dental hygiene habits help keep your mouth health, and prevents dental conditions such as tooth decay, gum disease, enamel staining, and bad breath. We have provided basic instructions for brushing and flossing on this page. For more information, please speak with our dentists or hygienists during your next checkup.
Tooth Brushing
It is recommended that you brush your teeth at least twice a day, or after each meal. One of these brushings should occur before you go to bed at night. Use an ADA-approved, soft-bristled brush and an ADA-approved toothpaste. Electric toothbrushes are highly recommended, as they are easy to use and very efficient in removing plaque from your teeth.
When brushing, we recommend that you follow these steps:
- Place the brush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.
- Gently brush using a small, circular motion, ensuring that you always feel the bristles on your gums.
- Brush the inner, outer, and chewing surfaces of each tooth.
- Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside of your front teeth.
- Brush your tongue. This will remove bacteria from the tongue and help keep your breath fresh.
Flossing
You should floss daily. Flossing cleans between the teeth and under the gum line, disrupting plaque colonies and preventing tooth decay and gum disease from developing.
When flossing, we recommend that you follow these guidelines:
- Use 12-16 inches (30-40 cm) of floss. Wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches (5 cm) of floss between your hands.
- Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently insert it between your teeth using a sawing motion.
- Curve the floss in to a C shape around each tooth and under the gum line.
- Gently move the floss up and down to clean the side of each tooth.
If you have difficulty holding floss string, try using a floss holder. This may make it easier for you to care for your teeth.
Rinsing
Rinse out your mouth after meals when you are unable to brush, and after each time you brush your teeth. If you are interested in using an over-the-counter mouth rinse, consult with our dentists and hygienists to determine if this is good idea for you, and which brands of mouth rinse will be most beneficial to your oral health.
We may recommend other oral hygiene aids to supplement your home care routine if needed.
