Flossing Flossing removes plaque and bacteria that you cannot reach with your toothbrush. If you don't floss, you are missing more than one-third of your tooth surface. Plaque is the main cause of gum disease. It is an invisible bacterial film that develops on your teeth every day. Within 24 to 36 hours, plaque hardens into tartar (also called calculus), which can only be removed by professional cleaning. Floss at least once a day, and plaque never gets the chance to harden into tartar. Getting into the habit of daily flossing is easier when you floss while doing something else like watching tv or listening to music, for example. How to floss your teeth Step 1 Take a length of floss equal to the distance from your hand to your shoulder. Take a length of floss equal to the distance from your hand to your shoulder Wrap it around your index and middle fingers, leaving about two inches between your hands. Wrap it around your index and middle fingers, leaving about two inches between your hands Step 2 Slide the floss between your teeth and wrap it into a" c" shape around the base of the tooth and gently under the gumline. Wipe the tooth from base to tip two or three times. Slide the floss between your teeth and wrap it into a Step 3 Be sure to floss both sides of every tooth. Don't forget the backs of your last molars. Go to a new section of the floss as it wears and picks up particles. Step 4 Brush your teeth after you floss - it is a more effective method of preventing tooth decay and gum disease. Brush your teeth after you floss - it is a more effective method of preventing tooth decay and gum disease Flossing problems and solutions Gums sometimes bleed when you first begin to floss. Bleeding usually stops after a few days. If bleeding does not stop, see your dentist. Floss can shred if you snag it on an old filling or on the ragged edge of a tooth. Try another type of floss or dental tape. Ask your dentist or dental hygienist for advice. If your floss still shreds, see your dentist. Brushing Regular, thorough brushing is a very important step in preventing tooth decay and gum disease. Brushing removes the bacteria that promote tooth decay and the plaque that can cause gum disease. Ideally, you should brush after every meal, because the bacterial attack on teeth begins minutes after eating. At the very least, brush once a day and always before you go to bed. Brushing your teeth isn't complicated, but there is a right and a wrong way. How to brush your teeth Step 1 Brush at a 45 degree angle to your teeth. Direct the bristles to where your gums and teeth meet. Use a gentle, circular, massaging motion, up and down. Don't scrub. Gums that recede visibly are often a result of years of brushing too hard. Brush at a 45 degree angle to your teeth. Direct the bristles to where your gums and teeth meet. Use a gentle, circular, massaging motion, up and down. Don't scrub. Gums that recede visibly are often a result of years of brushing too hard Step 2 Clean every surface of every tooth. The chewing surface, the cheek side, and the tongue side. Step 3 Don't rush your brush. A thorough brushing should take at least two to three minutes. Try timing yourself. Don't rush your brush. A thorough brushing should take at least two to three minutes. Try timing yourself Step 4 Change your usual brushing pattern. Most people brush their teeth the same way all the time. That means they miss the same spots all the time. Try reversing your usual pattern. Change your usual brushing pattern. Most people brush their teeth the same way all the time. That means they miss the same spots all the time. Try reversing your usual pattern Step 5 Use a soft brush with rounded bristles. The right toothbrush cleans better. Choose a size and shape that allow you to reach all the way to your back teeth. There are many different types of brushes, so ask your dentist to suggest the best one for you. Dentists recommends you replace your toothbrush every three months.

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Dental Hygiene Health Feed

Asked for male, 27 years old from Jaipur

Is whitening toothpastes usually contain peroxides and other strong abrasives that might make your teeth appear whiter by removing stains?

Dr. Mohit Gupta87%(190 ratings)

BDS

Dentist•

yes they contain peroxides too remove intrinsic stains n some abrasives for removal of extrinsic stains.

266 people found this helpful

Health Query

I have a problem related to teeth, I brush once a day but there is a dirt between teeth and gems. When I try to brush two times a day my gems have a blood. Presently no pain is there but it may cause problem in future, please suggest me to clean my teeth and make gems strong Thank you.

Dr. Ramneek Gupta92%(20060 ratings)

DHMS (Diploma in Homeopathic Medicine an...read more

Homeopath•Ludhiana

Homoeopathic medicine
MERC SOL 30 ( Dr Reckeweg) Drink 5 drops today night and forget this medicine
PLANTAGO Q/HAMMEMELIS Q ( Dr Reckeweg) Mix both these medicines and take 10 drops in 20 ml fresh water 3 times daily for 2-3 months
HEKLA LAVA TOOTH POWDER ( WHEEZAL ) Scrub teeth daily night before sleep
NOTE-Use brush with soft bristles and use it upside down while brushing teeth.
Visit a dental surgeon for regular scaling of teeth every 6 monthly

Last Updated: 8 years ago• Featured Tip

10 Dental hygiene steps you can take to promote great oral hygiene.

Dr. Ruchi Bhatt90%(128 ratings)

PGPPH, BDS, Certified Implantologist

Dentist•Hyderabad

Everyone wants to have a great smile which is why good oral hygiene is important! Having poor oral hygiene can lead to a variety of dental and medical problems in the future such as gum disease, infection, bone loss, heart disease, strokes and more. Regular check ups and cleanings can prevent these problems as well as provide you with good oral hygiene.

Here is a list of 10 Dental hygiene steps you can take to promote great oral hygiene.

1. Proper Brushing

One of the e...more

Last Updated: 8 years ago• Featured Tip

Flossing & Brushing

Dr. Himanshu Arora85%(12 ratings)

BDS

Dentist•Gurgaon

Flossing
Flossing removes plaque and bacteria that you cannot reach with your toothbrush. If you don't floss, you are missing more than one-third of your tooth surface. Plaque is the main cause of gum disease. It is an invisible bacterial film that develops on your teeth every day.

Within 24 to 36 hours, plaque hardens into tartar (also called calculus), which can only be removed by professional cleaning. Floss at least once a day, and plaque never gets the chance to harden into tar...more

Health Query

What should we do if we find small cavities prevailing in two of our teeth so as to keep them healthy and strong?

Dr. Kanika Mehra90%(2790 ratings)

BDS

Dentist•Raipur

Kindly get the cavities filled before they become deep and painful. Brush your teeth twice daily using correct brushing technique to maintain your oral hygiene.

Last Updated: 8 years ago• Featured Tip

How to Brush Your Teeth

Dr. Pawan Sharma88%(64 ratings)

PGDRH, BDS

Dentist•Jaipur

1
Use a good toothbrush. Choose a toothbrush with soft nylon bristles. This must effectively remove plaque and debris from your teeth, without irritating the gums or eroding tooth enamel like hard bristled brushes can do when used with sideways action. The toothbrush should also fit comfortably in your hand, and have a head small enough to easily reach all of your teeth, especially the ones at the back. If you have difficulty fitting the toothbrush into your mouth, it is probably too big.[3]...more

1112 people found this helpful

Last Updated: 8 years ago• Featured Tip

Healthy Mouth Happy you- Brushing and Flossing the Right Way

Dr. Mk Pillai

MDS - Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Dentist•Mumbai

Right Way to Brush-

Proper brushing takes at least two minutes — that's right, 120 seconds! Most adults do not come close to brushing that long. To get a feel for the time involved, try using a stopwatch. To properly brush your teeth, use short, gentle strokes, paying extra attention to the gumline, hard-to-reach back teeth and areas around fillings, crowns or other restoration. Concentrate on thoroughly cleaning each section as follows:

B1 Tilt the brush at a 45° ang...more

Health Query

My teeth are becaming week. What can I do for my teeth so that my teeth become strong?

Dr. Shubhra Dwivedy92%(2116 ratings)

BDS (GOLD MEDALIST)

Dentist•Jamshedpur

For healthier teeth you should follow some routines. Brush regularly two times daily with soft bristle toothbrush. Rinse your mouth after each meal. Floss your tooth to prevent food impaction. Avoid sticky and sweetened food and tobacco products. Alcohol and smoking. Visit a dentist regularly every 6 months.

Asked for male, 21 years old from Ranchi

Some strong layer has been gathered on my teeth. What I have to do for removing it?

Dr. Manan . S . Kotak86%(106 ratings)

BDS

Dentist•Navi Mumbai

Hello. That strong layer is known as calculus. Plaque or food debris that have been accumulated for a long time become that strong layer. You can get that removed by scaling.

524 people found this helpful

Health Query

There are so much worms in my teeth it causes many trouble I can't eat properly every small amount of meal stick in my mouth and cause of this last year I lost my one molar.

Dr. Yasmin Asma Zohara93%(31017 ratings)

MDS - Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Dentist•Chennai

Kindly consult a dentist in person for further suggestion. We need more investigations with clinical examination to decide upon treatment. You may need artificial enamel filling or root canal treatment. Advance procedures can be done with laser. You may consult me in person. Dental tips: - visit a dentist every six months for cleaning and a thorough dental check-up. Limit sugary food to avoid tooth decay. Gargle your mouth thoroughly after every meal. Scrub gently to clean your tongue with a ton...more

90 people found this helpful

Health Query

Dear dentist, Today my kid visited to a local dentist by her school. Doctor given a prescription but we could not understand the prescription. Kindly elaborate and suggest the same. Unable to upload the prescription. Doctor mentioned: carries 1a ba a b e e.

Dr. Abhishek Kr Singh90%(546 ratings)

MDS - Periodontics, BDS

Dentist•Dhanbad

Doctor has mentioned that the child has caries in multiple tooth. Abcde are donated as tooth number in child. You may visit a dentist for treatment of those caries.

Asked for male, 0 years old from Delhi

I have recently done the x ray of my teeth but my doctor denied to give me the copies of my x ray. What should I do?

Dr. Karun Gupta90%(2332 ratings)

BDS, Non-Resident J.R. in Dept. of Ortho...read more

Dentist•Jammu

I understand you're concerned about not receiving your dental X-ray copies. While I cannot offer specific medical advice, I can share some general information and potential next steps:

Understanding Your Rights:

Generally, in most countries, patients have the right to access their medical records, including X-rays. This right is usually protected by regulations like HIPAA in the US or GDPR in Europe.
However, there might be specific scenarios where a doctor may temporarily ...more

232 people found this helpful

Asked for male, 31 years old from Delhi

I visited a nearby dentist for tooth whitening of a dead tooth which was turning black. She applied a dental solution to make it white ,but it caused a sensitivity in nearby 4 tooths. It has been couple of months but the problem is sustaining. I was using sensodine as toothpaste in these 2 months. Post that I visited her and she suggested shy nm toothpaste twice a day by applying on sensitive teeth for 10 minutes before brushing. She has given nerve inflammation antibiotics as well to calm the sensitivity down on the selective teeth. Can anyone suggest me what should be the course of treatment ahead .will the sensitivity go in time.

Dr. Achla Verma

BDS, MDS - Orthodontics & Dentofacial Or...read more

Dentist•Gurgaon

You can use GC tooth mousse for 3 months it will help in tooth remineralization to some extent. Rest Clinical Examination will a need for same

415 people found this helpful

Asked for male, 42 years old from Pune

There is sound in my jaw joint while chewing food or stretching my mouth since 15 days. What is the reason?

Dr. Yasmin Asma Zohara93%(31017 ratings)

MDS - Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Dentist•Chennai

Kindly consult an oral & maxillofacial surgeon in person for further suggestion. We need more investigations (full mouth x-ray, tmj open & closed mouth, mri) & clinical examination to decide upon treatment. Until then have soft diet. Avoid yawning. Replace posterior teeth if they are missing. You may consult me in person.

20 people found this helpful

Asked for male, 37 years old from Thane

I quit chewing gutkha since 2 months, but I am facing some side effects like there are red patches in my mouth and it burns while eating food, what should I do? Do I need to worry? Any suggestions doctor?

Dr. Yasmin Asma Zohara93%(31017 ratings)

MDS - Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Dentist•Chennai

Quit habits strictly. Kindly consult an oral & maxillo facial surgeon in person for further suggestion. We need more investigations with clinical examination to decide upon treatment. Apply kenakort ointment.

48 people found this helpful

Asked for male, 35 years old from Visakhapatnam

Mouth keeps on filling with saliva. Unable to talk to others after throwing saliva I am talking every 5secs saliva is coming continuously what should I do I am unable to do my job because of this saliva what should I do help me.

Dr. Yasmin Asma Zohara93%(31017 ratings)

MDS - Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Dentist•Chennai

However, there are medical conditions that causes excessive salivation
physiological
pregnancy
local causes
oral inflammation- teething
infection –oral cavity infection, dental caries, tonsillitis, peritonsilar abscess
kindly consult an oral & maxillo facial surgeon in person for further suggestion. We need more investigations with clinical examination to decide upon treatment. Medicines can reduces secretions in the mouth, throat, airway, and stomach.

14 people found this helpful

Asked for male, 25 years old from Mumbai

Mai 25 saal ka hoo mujhe baar baar muh mein ek jagh par same place pe last teen mahino se challe ho rahe hai kabhi kabhi thoda bada sa hota hai aur ek hafte mein thik ho jata hai kabhi kabhi ek dot ki trh hota hai pain bhi nahi hota aur kch din mein sahi ho jata hai aisa baar baar kyu ho raha hai isse kaise bacha jai koi suggestion kya yeh koi serious issue hai mere health ke liye ya isko kaise treat kare.

Dr. Karun Gupta90%(2332 ratings)

BDS, Non-Resident J.R. in Dept. of Ortho...read more

Dentist•Jammu

Aapke muh mein baar baar challe hone ke kai karan ho sakte hain. Kuchh karan hain:
mouth ulcer: mouth ulcer ek aam samasya hai jo kisi bhi umra ke kisi bhi vyakti ko ho sakti hai. Mouth ulcer ka karan bacteria ya virus ho sakta hai. Mouth ulcer ka ilaj aamतौर par gharelu upcharon se ho jata hai, lekin agar yah baar baar ho raha hai to doctor se consult karna chahie.
Lichen planus: lichen planus ek autoimmune disorder hai jo skin aur mouth mein infection ka karan ban sakta hai. Lichen pla...more

48 people found this helpful

Asked for male, 21 years old from Kanpur

Kya ham teeth saaf kara sakte hai? Aur kya mere gums wapas se recover kar sakte hai? Actually ham pehle masala bahut khate the to mere teeths ne masude chootne lage hai aur teeth kaafi gande hai?

Dr. Karun Gupta90%(2332 ratings)

BDS, Non-Resident J.R. in Dept. of Ortho...read more

Dentist•Jammu

Haan, aap apne teeth ko saaf kar sakte hain. Yah aapke gums ko bhi recover karne mein madad karega. Masala khane se teeth mein masude chhootne lagte hain aur teeth kaafi gande ho jate hain. Aap apne teeth ko saaf karne ke liye toothpaste aur brush ka use kar sakte hain. Aap apne teeth ko din mein do baar brush karen. Brush karne se pehle apne teeth ko mouthwash se rinse kar lein. Mouthwash aapke teeth ko bacteria se protect karne mein madad karta hai. Aap apne teeth ko floss karne se bhi saaf ka...more

104 people found this helpful

Asked for male, 29 years old from Gurgaon

I suffer from tmj disorder (jaw popping) and also slight ringing in the ears. I have unerupted impacted wisdom teeth on all sides which are in bad position. I want to know, will removal of wisdom teeth reduce pressure on the tmj joint and prevent the jaw popping or other tmj problems from becoming worse? Is it a good idea to get the wisdom teeth removed if I have tmj disorder and will I get relief from it. Or at least prevent it from getting worse?

Dr. Yasmin Asma Zohara93%(31017 ratings)

MDS - Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Dentist•Chennai

Yes there is a connection between TMJ AND TINNITUS.
Firstly, the chewing muscles are near to some of the muscles that insert into the middle ear and so may have an effect on hearing, and so may promote tinnitus. Secondly, there can be a direct connection between the ligaments that attach to the jaw and one of the hearing bones that sits in the middle ear. Thirdly, the nerve supply from the TMJ has been shown to have connections with the parts of the brain that are involved with both hearing...more

155 people found this helpful

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Dental Hygiene Health Feed

Is whitening toothpastes usually contain peroxides and other strong abrasives that might make your teeth appear whiter by removing stains?

I have a problem related to teeth, I brush once a day but there is a dirt between teeth and gems. When I try to brush two times a day my gems have a blood. Presently no pain is there but it may cause problem in future, please suggest me to clean my teeth and make gems strong Thank you.

10 Dental hygiene steps you can take to promote great oral hygiene.

Flossing &amp; Brushing

What should we do if we find small cavities prevailing in two of our teeth so as to keep them healthy and strong?

How to Brush Your Teeth

Healthy Mouth Happy you- Brushing and Flossing the Right Way

My teeth are becaming week. What can I do for my teeth so that my teeth become strong?

Some strong layer has been gathered on my teeth. What I have to do for removing it?

There are so much worms in my teeth it causes many trouble I can't eat properly every small amount of meal stick in my mouth and cause of this last year I lost my one molar.

Dear dentist, Today my kid visited to a local dentist by her school. Doctor given a prescription but we could not understand the prescription. Kindly elaborate and suggest the same. Unable to upload the prescription. Doctor mentioned: carries 1a ba a b e e.

I have recently done the x ray of my teeth but my doctor denied to give me the copies of my x ray. What should I do?

There is sound in my jaw joint while chewing food or stretching my mouth since 15 days. What is the reason?

I quit chewing gutkha since 2 months, but I am facing some side effects like there are red patches in my mouth and it burns while eating food, what should I do? Do I need to worry? Any suggestions doctor?

Mouth keeps on filling with saliva. Unable to talk to others after throwing saliva I am talking every 5secs saliva is coming continuously what should I do I am unable to do my job because of this saliva what should I do help me.

Kya ham teeth saaf kara sakte hai? Aur kya mere gums wapas se recover kar sakte hai? Actually ham pehle masala bahut khate the to mere teeths ne masude chootne lage hai aur teeth kaafi gande hai?

Flossing & Brushing