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That Certain Smile Cosmetic Family Dentistry 

Home Care

When you are not at the dentist office it is best to make your next visit a planned one and not an emergency. These tips can help you stick to your regularly scheduled check ups and cleanings instead of unscheduled problem visits.

Brushing
Getting your child to brush and floss their teeth before bedtime won’t be so much of a struggle later if you are doing this as part of a regular routine when they are very young.
  • Parents should start brushing their child’s teeth as soon as they appear in the mouth.
  • Brush the child’s teeth 2-3 times a day including before bedtime.
  • Both adults and children should use a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
  • The toothbrush and toothpaste should be ADA approved.
  • Use a toothbrush with round tipped bristles, a small head, and a comfortable grip.
  • You will need to replace it 4 - 6 times a year, when the bristles show wear or if you get sick.
  • Brushing should be done in a circular motion at a 45 degree angle to the gums.
  • Brush strokes should be gentle and not too wide.
  • Brushing should last 2-3 minutes, making sure to get hard to reach places.
  • Gently brush the tongue, gums, and the roof of the mouth also.
  • Always finish by rinsing the mouth with water.

    • Flossing
    Despite claims by some, rinses and other mechanical devices, there is no substitute for flossing.
    Flossing removes the bacteria between the teeth, where your toothbrush can’t reach.

    See an

    American

    Dental

    Association

    Flossing

    Animation

     

    • Floss at least once a day.
    • Start with about 18 inches of ADA approved floss.
    • Wrap the floss around the middle finger of each hand.
    • Leave about 2 inches of floss free between the involved fingers.
    • Being gentle, guide the floss between your teeth by sliding it back and forth.
    • Pull the floss toward the tooth to be cleaned, wrap around it in a cupping manner.
    • Starting just below the gumline, slide the floss up and down the tooth
    • Continue until the surface of the tooth is clean.
    • Repeat on the next tooth using a different area of the floss.
    • Continue until all of your teeth have been cleaned.

     

    That Certain Smile

    Cosmetic Family Dentistry
    1436 W. 127th St.

    Calumet Park, Illinois  60827
    Phone: (708) 389-2820 * (708) 906-9468

    Email: smileinyou@att.net

    Tina Champion-Harris, D.D.S., P.C.