Preventive Dentistry in Gulf Breeze, FL
In addition to regular visits to our Gulf Breeze dental office for professional cleanings, good home hygiene is vital to keeping your mouth clean and healthy. Brushing and flossing removes plaque (bacteria) that we accumulate throughout the day from our diet. It is important to remove plaque, as it can cause gingivitis, periodontal disease, and decay.
Dr. Barrineau recommends that patients brush twice a day—morning and night—and floss at least one time a day. During brushing, make sure you are covering the whole tooth surface all the way next to the gums. Also when flossing, make sure the floss goes all the way to the base of the gum.
If you find that brushing with a traditional toothbrush isn’t giving you the results that you’d like, you may want to try an electric toothbrush. It does almost all of the work for you! The ultrasonic vibrations of an electric toothbrush disrupt bacteria in your mouth. Whether you are using a traditional toothbrush or electric toothbrush, you must keep up with brushing twice a day for two minutes each time.
If it's been six months since your last dental checkup, then it's time to contact our Gulf Breeze dentist Dr. Nicole Barrineau and schedule your next appointment!
- Brushing Instructions
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Brushing: Step 1
Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gum.
Brushing: Step 2
Brush gently in a circular motion.
Brushing: Step 3
Brush the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of each tooth.
Brushing: Step 4
Use the tip of your brush for the inner surface of your front teeth.
- Flossing Instructions
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Flossing: Step 1
Wind about 18 inches of floss around your fingers as shown. Most of it should be wrapped around one finger, and the other finger takes it up as the floss is used.
Flossing: Step 2
Use your thumbs and forefingers to guide about one inch of floss between your teeth.
Flossing: Step 3
Holding the floss tightly, gently saw it between your teeth. Then curve the floss into a C-shape against one tooth and gently slide it beneath your gums.
Flossing: Step 4
Slide the floss up and down, repeating for each tooth.
