Oral hygiene
Effective brushing is the foundation of healthy gums and a condition for the success of any periodontal treatment. Many people brush every day without properly removing plaque, especially along the gum line and between the teeth. These are the habits that make the difference.
The right tools
- A soft or extra-soft toothbrush, manual or electric. A hard brush damages the gums.
- A fluoride toothpaste.
- Interdental brushes sized for each space (chosen at the practice), or floss where the spaces are very tight.
- A new brush or brush head every three months, or as soon as the bristles splay.
Brushing technique
The recommended method targets the junction between tooth and gum, where plaque builds up.
Angle the brush
Place the bristles at 45° towards the gum, straddling the tooth and the gum line.
Use small movements
Without pressing, make small back-and-forth movements on the spot, two teeth at a time.
Sweep towards the tooth
Finish with a movement from the gum towards the edge of the tooth to remove the plaque.
Always follow the same order
Outer surfaces, inner surfaces, then chewing surfaces, including the back teeth.
Take your time
Two minutes, morning and evening. Spit out the toothpaste without rinsing heavily, to keep the fluoride.
With an electric toothbrush
The technique is simpler. Place the head on each tooth, angled towards the gum, and let it work for a few seconds without scrubbing before moving to the next tooth.
Between the teeth
A toothbrush does not clean the spaces between the teeth, where gum disease often starts. Once a day, pass an interdental brush through each space with a gentle in-and-out movement. Slight bleeding in the first days is common when the gums are inflamed and decreases with regular cleaning. If it persists, mention it at your appointment.
Common mistakes
- Brushing hard or with a hard brush, which makes the gums recede and wears the root.
- Scrubbing horizontally, from left to right.
- Forgetting the inner surfaces and the back teeth.
- Avoiding an area that bleeds, when that is exactly where gentle cleaning is needed.
After gum surgery
Instructions are different while healing, with an ultra-soft post-surgical brush, sometimes a mouthwash, and areas to avoid. Follow the sheet given at the practice and return to your usual brushing when you are told to.
Check-ups and maintenance visits are the moment to adjust your technique and tools to your mouth.