TOOTH BRUSHING SIMPLIFIED

The Brush To Use

Hard bristles were once recommended but are now thought to be too abrasive to the teeth and gums. We now suggest a soft, rounded-end nylon bristle brush. Be sure to discard brushes when the bristles are bent or frayed or approximately every three to four months.

TheSonicare Toothbrush

I have been impressed with the Sonciare Toothbrush and we are now recommending it to our patients. It offers definite advantages over manual brushing and is more effective then a regular toothbrush. sonicare uses sonic
technology to attack plaque bacteria in  hard-to-reach places -- places conventional electric and manual toothbrushes simply can't reach.  Thanks to a combination of high-speed brushing and sonic wave action, the sonicare sonic toothbrush removes plaque bacteria right where they live; hidden between teeth and even below
the gumline.

Plaque is a nearly colorless bacterial film that  constantly forms on your teeth. It hides in the nooks
and crannies between teeth and below the gumline. Sonicare effectively reaches these places and
attacks harmful bacteria with sonic waves.  Something no ordinary brush can do. Even though
sonicare is tough on plaque bacteria, it's proven just as gentle on your teeth and gums as a soft manual
toothbrush.

How To Brush

Begin by placing the head of the brush beside your teeth, with the bristles angled against the gum line (where the teeth and gums meet ). Think of the brush as both a toothbrush and a gum brush. With the bristles contacting both tooth and gum, move the brush back and forth several times across each tooth individually.

Use a short stroke and a gentle scrubbing motion, as if the goal were to massage the gum. Don't try to force the bristles under the gum line; that will happen naturally, especially with a brush that has soft, flexible bristles.

Brush the outer surfaces of the upper and lower teeth. Then use the same short back-and-forth strokes on the inside surfaces. Try to concentrate harder on the inside surfaces; studies show they're more often neglected. For the upper and lower front teeth, brush the inside surfaces by using the brush vertically and making several gentle up--and-down strokes over the teeth and gums.

Finish up by lightly scrubbing the chewing surfaces of the upper and lower teeth. You should also brush your tongue for a fresher breath.
 

PROXYBRUSH™

  • The ProxyBrush™ is designed to remove plaque and debris in open interproximal areas (areas that are very large and located between the teeth). These brushes are particularly helpful in cleaning the spaces that exist between caps and bridges.
  • INSTRUCTIONS

    Place the soft nylon filament brush into the handle.
    1. Moisten the brush and insert it into the interdental areas (embrasure spaces that exist between each tooth and its neighbor).
    2. Move the brush in and out several times in each interdental space (also known as an embrasure). Make sure to clean the brush by holding it under running water during each use. This is necessary in order to remove debris and plaque that may be deposited during the mechanical cleansing of the spaces.
    3. Clean the brush thoroughly after use and allow it to air dry. The brush may be used several times before it is necessary to replace it. Discard the brush when the filaments become loose or deformed.
    4. There are several types of Proxybrushes. Each type has its own particular area of use. There is even a portable brush as shown in the accompanying diagram. If you have any questions as to the best one to use in your particular set of circumstances, please ask your dentist.
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Stuart A. Greene, DDS-FAGD
2009 Birdcreek Terrace Temple, TX 76502 254.773.9007 | Fax 254.773.8051
©2004 Stuart A. Greene, DDS-FAGD | Online since 1996 | Updated Continuously