We often find that patients have specific questions about their preventive care at home but that they feel too embarrassed to ask them. Even if your question is extremely simple or you feel hesitant to ask, we urge you to feel comfortable bringing up your inquiries during visits. It’s often the answer to the simplest question that provides you with the missing factor in practicing exceptional dental hygiene. At the moment, consider some frequently asked questions (and answers) for helpful hints.
Q&A: Brushing
Question: Am I supposed to brush my gums? I keep hearing that this is important to avoid problems like gingivitis.
Answer: You do need to brush along your gumline but no further than that. It is true that including this in your preventive care is extremely important for removing the plaque that builds up beneath gum tissue and leads to gum disease.
Question: So, how do I brush my gumline exactly?
Answer: You want to use gentle pressure (like you should be doing for the rest of your smile). Hold your toothbrush at an angle of approximately 45 degrees toward your gum tissue and move the brush in sweeping motions away from your gums to remove plaque and food particles. For a demonstration, please ask us during your next preventive care visit.
Question: I have always been under the impression that I only need to brush my teeth and gumline – not my tongue. Am I correct?
Answer: Actually, brushing your tongue is an important part of your preventive care habits at home. A significant amount of bacteria cling to this tissue, which means giving it a gentle yet thorough brushing is extremely important for optimal oral health.
