Achieving a brilliant, healthy smile takes more than just a quick brush before you rush out the door. Many patients brush vigorously twice a day yet still struggle with cavities and gum inflammation. We create truly effective regimens by combining the right techniques, appropriate tools, and consistent habits to disrupt bacterial plaque before it hardens into tartar or causes decay.
Mastering the Basics of Daily Brushing
Effective brushing forms the foundation of any successful oral hygiene routine. We recommend brushing for two full minutes, twice a day, using a Sonicare electric toothbrush. The Sonicare bristles move up to 35,000 times a minute to give you the best possible cleaning. To maximize brushing effectiveness, hold your brush at a 45-degree angle toward the gumline and slowly guide it along the gumline.
Especially because Santa Barbara is not a fluoridated community, always choose a fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride repairs microscopic damage on your tooth surfaces, making your enamel highly resistant to acid attacks from oral bacteria.
Timing Your Routine
Brush your teeth in the morning to remove the anaerobic bacteria that multiply while you sleep. Brush again in the evening to remove food particles, sugars, and plaque that accumulate throughout your day. Saliva flow drops significantly overnight, so brush before bed to protect your teeth from acid produced by bacteria and prevent nighttime damage.
The Non-Negotiable Step: Flossing!
We love CocoFloss, the woven floss with the tagline “the loofa floss”. The reason CocoFloss is more effective is that it has a fabulous texture that scrapes sticky bacteria off your teeth. Your toothbrush cannot reach the tight spaces between your teeth, which make up about one-third of your total tooth surface area. If you skip flossing, you leave behind a sticky film of bacteria (biofilm) that quickly hardens into calculus and causes tooth decay. The bacteria infect the gums, causing bleeding, swelling, and bone loss. We insist on daily flossing for anyone serious about preventive dentistry.
Use CocoFloss to scrape biofilm away from the sides of each tooth. Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around your middle fingers. Guide the floss gently between two teeth with your thumbs and index fingers. Curve the string into a "C" shape against one tooth and slide it beneath the gumline to the base of the periodontal pocket. With a scraping motion, move the floss up and down several times along the side of the tooth, then repeat on the adjacent tooth. Remember, the biofilm is very sticky, so it's a scraping or squeegee motion rather than a wiggle motion.
Additional Interdental Tools
- Water flossers: These devices shoot a targeted stream of pulsating water between your teeth. They work exceptionally well for patients with braces, dental bridges, or mobility issues.
- Interdental brushes: Small, cone-shaped brushes slide easily into the triangular gaps between teeth. They clean the concave surfaces of teeth that string floss might miss.
- Floss picks: While not quite as flexible as traditional string floss, pre-threaded picks offer a convenient option for cleaning your teeth on the go.
Establishing the Flossing Habit
Many patients ask us whether they should floss before or after brushing. We strongly recommend flossing before brushing. Flossing removes food debris and bacteria from between your teeth, and brushing then sweeps those loosened particles out of your mouth. Clearing the interdental spaces first ensures that the fluoride in your toothpaste coats the newly cleaned surfaces of your teeth.
We operate a dedicated dental practice focused on delivering exceptional, comprehensive care to patients of all ages. Our team believes strongly in equipping you with the knowledge and tools you need to maintain a brilliant smile year-round. If you want to schedule your next examination or hygiene appointment, call us today.