Tooth Brushing Techniques

Many patients are frustrated and often say that they brush their teeth 2-3 times a day, but they still have bleeding gums, cavities, and bad breath or gum disease. They want to know whether they brush their teeth enough or brush properly.

What is the proper tooth brushing technique?

Proper tooth brushing is important for cleaning the teeth and gums.  Here are the recommended steps:

·       Place bristles along the gum line at a 45-degree angle.  Bristles should contact both the tooth surface and the gum line.

·       Gently brush the outer tooth surfaces of 2-3 teeth using a vibrating back & forth rolling motion; the brush makes contact with the gum line and is moved downward toward the chewing surface.  Move brush to the next group of 2-3 teeth and repeat.

·       Maintain a 45-degree angle with bristles contacting the tooth surface and gum line.  Gently brush using back & forth rolling motion along all the inner tooth surfaces.

·       To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and –down strokes

·       Gently brush the tongue from back to front to remove odor producing bacteria

 How long is the proper tooth brushing take?

·                                     Proper brushing takes at least 2 minutes.

       What type of toothbrushes should be used?

·                                    Soft-bristled toothbrushes

·       

       Small-headed brushes are recommended because they can better reach all areas of the mouth, including back teeth.

·       

        Powered toothbrushes are good alternatives for people with limited manual dexterity.  Talk to your Glendora dentist, Dr. Anna Lee, about your dental needs and be advised on the type of toothbrushes that is right for you.

What type of the toothpaste?

·       Fluoridated toothpaste

·       There are toothpastes designed for many conditions: cavities, gingivitis, tartar control, stain control, and sensitivity (cold/sweets). 

·       Talk to your Glendora dentist, Dr. Anna Lee, about your dental needs and be advised on the type of toothpaste that is right for you.

How often should toothbrushes be replaced?

·       When the toothbrush bristles flare out or show wear.

·       

      Every 3 months

·       Replace the toothbrush after you have had a cold.  The toothbrush bristles can collect bacteria and may lead to periodontal infections.

Dr. Anna Lee is a general & cosmetic dentist in Glendora, CA.  If you have any questions about the proper tooth brushing techniques and any concerns about your dental care, please visit us at                   www.annaleedds.com or call for a FREE consultation at 626-335-5114.

Secrets your Cosmetic Dentist knows

                                                 

Having a healthy, bright and beautiful smile enhances your appearance and increases the confidence level about yourself.  When you are confident; it shows and can lead to improved social relationships, more success in the work place and an overall feeling of well-being. Here are some cosmetic dental procedures that your GlendoraCosmetic dentist, Dr. Anna Lee, wants you to know and they can help you to improve your smile and your confidence.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneer is a thin layer of porcelain bonded over the front surface of the tooth.  It usually requires a minimal amount of tooth (enamel) reduction.  This reduction creates room for the porcelain veneer to be bonded onto the front surface of the tooth.

Reasons for porcelain Veneers:

·       Worn or chipped teeth

·       Unwanted or uneven spaces

·       Teeth that are too small or large

·       Severely discolored or stained teeth

·       Misshapen teeth

·       Crooked teeth

Advantages of having porcelain veneers:

·       Provide a natural tooth appearance

·       Gum tissue tolerates porcelain well

·       Stain resistant

·       Change tooth’s color and shape

·       Minimal tooth (enamel) reduction

·       May not require local anesthesia

·       2 visits treatment procedure

·      It takes about 1-2 weeks for patients to receive their porcelain veneers.

** Porcelain veneers can last from seven to twenty years.  Porcelain veneers, like natural teeth, are susceptible to damage.  

All Ceramic Crowns (Porcelain Crowns)

All Ceramic Crowns: porcelain-based material

·       Recommended for restoring front teeth due to color blending with the natural teeth

·       2 ceramic materials: lithium disilicate and zirconia

·       Lithium disilicate restorations are good choices for single unit restorations, both anterior and posterior teeth

·       Zirconia restorations are good choices for single unit restorations for the posterior teeth

Reasons for Ceramic Crowns:

·      Broken or fractured teeth

·      Cosmetic enhancement

·      Fractured fillings

·      Large/extensive fillings

·      Teeth with cavity

Advantages of having Ceramic Crowns:

·      Esthetic (Natural tooth appearance)

·      Strong, durable

·      2 visits treatment procedure

·      It takes about 1-2 weeks for patients to receive their porcelain crowns

**Dental crowns last between five (5) and fifteen (15) years. The lifespan of a dental crown relies in large part on the amount of stress it is exposed to, and a person’s oral hygiene habits.  Patients who grind or clench their teeth have a higher chance of chipping or cracking the porcelain on the crown.

Professional Teeth Whitening/Bleaching

Teeth Whitening is a bleaching process that reverses discolorations of enamel to create a whiter and brighter appearance.

How do I know if Teeth Whitening is for me? A thorough oral examination and X-rays are essential to determine if Teeth Whitening is right for you. 

Reason for Teeth Whitening:

·       Whiter teeth

·       Tetracycline staining

·       Staining from coffee, tea, red wine or tobacco

·       Aging

1.     In-Office Teeth (Chair Side) Whitening is performed in the dental office for about 60-90 minutes. Prior to the procedure, an informed consent discussion form is reviewed and signed.  The discussion includes patient’s diagnosis, proposed treatment, risks & benefits, pre-existing condition/shade of teeth, and patient’s expectations prior to treatment.

There are many tooth whitening products available to dentists.  These products contain hydrogen peroxide in concentrations ranging from 10 percent to 40 percent.  They are sometimes used with a light, which may accelerate the whitening process.

**In-Office Teeth Whitening takes one visit, 60-90 minutes; it gives you the white smile that you have always wanted.

2.     Take-Home Whitening involves with the loading of the whitening gel into the custom fitted bleaching trays for the upper & lower teeth. Depending on the amount of time you bleach daily and the varying concentrations of the bleaching ingredients, the treatment can be completed in one to two weeks.

**Take home Whitening takes about 1-2 weeks to see the results.

Glendora Dentist, Dr. Anna Lee, recommends both in-office teeth whitening and take-home whitening.  The take-home whitening is a great way to maintain the whiteness of the teeth in your own time.

 Implant Supported Crown

If you are missing one or more teeth, you may be self-conscious about your appearance and dental health.  When teeth are missing, it is difficult to chew, speak, and smile.  One of the options to replace missing teeth are Dental Implants restored with Implant Supported Crowns.

A dental implant feels and looks very close to a natural tooth.  It is a metal post surgically placed beneath the gum which fuses to the bone in the jaw and acts like the root of a tooth.  Then, the dentist makes a custom artificial tooth (Implant Supported Crown) and fits it onto the post portion of the implant.  Many patients choose dental implants as a replacement option.  However, implants are not an option for everyone.  It is important that the patient be in good health and have healthy gums.

Advantage of having Implant Supported Crown:

·       Crown is firmly attached to the implant, would not slip or shift in the mouth

·       Esthetic, similar to a natural tooth

·       Comfortable

·       Adjacent teeth do not have to be involved

·       With proper care, implant and implant crown can last for a long time

Regular dental visits are the key to the long term success to any dental treatment.   Talk to your        Glendora Dentist about porcelain veneers, ceramic crowns, teeth whitening or implant supported crowns and decide if these cosmetic treatments are right for you to achieve the healthy, bright and beautiful smile that you want. 

Dr. Anna Lee is a general & cosmetic dentist in Glendora, CA.  If you have any questions about porcelain veneers, ceramic crowns, teeth whitening or implant supported crowns or any other cosmetic procedures, please visit us at www.annaleedds.com or call for a FREE consultation at 626-335-5114.