Dental Care Checklist

Whether you have natural teeth, dentures, or both, your mouth needs regular care to keep it clean, comfortable, and free from infection.

This checklist can help you evaluate your daily routine. Work through it with a pencil. If you answer yes to all of the questions, you’re on the right track.

 

1. Do you see your dentist regularly for checkups and cleaning?

Yes❏ No❏

Your dentist can do things that you can’t do for yourself: clean tartar, update your daily routine, find and fix hidden problems.

2. Do you check your mouth daily for changes?

Yes❏ No❏

Changes in the mouth can indicate underlying problems.

If you spot symptoms early, they can be treated before they get serious.

If you have some or all of your natural teeth:

3. Do you brush every surface of each tooth?

Yes❏ No❏

Trouble starts in the spots you miss.

Brush all the fronts, backs, and chewing surfaces.

Use a soft brush; rub gently.

4. Do you floss daily?

Yes❏ No❏

Floss cleans where your brush can’t reach – between teeth and along the gumline.

If you don’t oss you’re not really getting clean.

5. Have you replaced your toothbrush within the last 3-4 months?

Yes ❏ No ❏

A worn toothbrush can’t clean effectively.
You’ll probably need a new brush three or four times a year.

 

 

If you have complete or partial dentures:

6. Do you soak your dentures overnight?

Yes❏ No❏

Gums need to rest and breathe.

Dentures warp if they dry out so keep them in warm water.

7. Do you scrub your dentures daily?

Yes❏ No❏

Bacterial plaque accumulates daily on dentures.

If not removed it can cause in inflammation and gum disease.

8. Do you massage and rinse your gums daily?

Yes❏ No❏

Gums need stimulation to stay healthy and provide a good comfortable denture fit.

A soft toothbrush works well; some people prefer moistened gauze

Some People Have An Unhealthy Love Of Bacon … Bacon Floss!

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The Beatles Most Certainly Knew Dental Hygiene!

Come Together …

And Don’t Forget To Floss!

“Do You Floss?” … I Think Most Of Us Have Been Here!

IF YOU’RE NAUGHTY … HERE’S A GUIDE HOW TO FLOSS

• Break off about 18″ of floss  and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers

• Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the other hand … this finger will take up the floss as it becomes used

• Hold the floss tightly (without any slack) between your two hands, with about an inch of floss between them

• Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle sawing motion

• When the floss reaches the gumline, curve it into a C-shape against the tooth

• Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth until you feel resistance

• Hold the floss against the tooth and gently scrape the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum

Gingivitis Isn’t Really Cute!

Gingivitis is a common and mild form of gum disease (periodontal disease) that causes irritation, redness and swelling (inflammation) of your gums.

Because gingivitis can be mild, you may not be aware that you have the condition. But it’s important to take gingivitis seriously and treat it promptly. Gingivitis can lead to much more serious gum disease (periodontitis) and eventual tooth loss.

The most common cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene. Good oral health habits, such as brushing at least twice a day, flossing daily and getting regular dental checkups, can help prevent gingivitis.

Reasons To Floss … Number 46

Flossing Fact

 

   If you opt not to floss, you’re missing cleaning 35% of your tooth surfaces!