Your home care is the most important part of your periodontal treatment.  The bacteria that causes periodontal disease is produced by the body and needs to be removed on a daily basis.  You must clean your teeth everyday; however, if you don't clean effectively, the disease process will recur.  The bacteria is produced, regardless of the types of food you eat.  ALthough, certain diets are beneficial, there are no diets that will prevent bacterial formation.

Home care should include: 

• Toothbrushing
• Flossing
• Floss threader
• Rubber tip stimulator
• interdental brushes
• End-tuft brush
• Red dye

TOOTHBRUSHING

Brushing should be completed at least once every 24 hour period.  Use only a soft bristled toothbrush.  The brush should be used at a 45 degree angle where the gum and the teeth meet.  Use a small circular motion to loosen the bacteria that is between the gum and the tooth and then with a sweeping motion, brush away the bacteria.  Be sure to brush at the gumline on the outside and inside surfaces.

FLOSSING

You should floss everyday to reach where the toothbrush does not clean.  Wrap the floss around your fingers and gently get the floss between the teeth.  With a "c" shape around the tooth, pull the floss tight and scrape from the gumline to the biting edge of the tooth, scraping off any bacteria.  Do NOT "saw" back and forth with the floss as it may lacerate the gum tissues.

FLOSS THREADER

The floss threader is used to "thread" the floss under bridge work to reach where regular flossing cannot.  It is used like a needle and thread.  

RUBBER TIP STIMULATOR

It is recommended that the rubber tip stimulator be used on a daily basis to massage the gums.  Use the tip to guide the stimulator between the teeth and lay the stimulator on the gums and rub or massage for a few seconds between each area.  Be sure to use on the outside and inside surfaces.

INTERDENTAL BRUSHES

Interdental brushes are used to brush in between the teeth, particuarly when there are larger interdental spaces.  Use it where it will fit without a wedging affect between the teeth.

END TUFTED BRUSH

The end-tufted brush is used especially in areas of furcations to help clean.  Use a circular motion to remove the bacteria.

RED DYE

The red dye is used after brushing to stain the bacteria to see if there are areas that were missed.  If red dye is found on the teeth, then you need to go back and brush or floss again to remove the bacteria.

Tips:

• You can brush as effectively with your regular toothbrush as you can with an electric toothbrush, if you use a proper technique.
• You should replace your toothbrush about every six weeks or when the bristles begin to deteriorate.
• It doesn't matter what type of toothpaste you use.  You can use plain water and do an effective job of plaque removal; however, certain toothpastes contain beneficial ingredients. 
• For a complete list of ADA approved dentifrices, please consult the ADA website. 
• Bleeding  during brushing, can be an early sign of gum and bone disease.  DO NOT IGNORE.  Often times, patients make the mistake of deferring their hygiene regimen if the gums bleed.  At these times, it is important to re-double your efforts.
• You should use the red dye periodically to check your hygiene technique.