YOU SHOULD KNOW
Taking care of those pearly whites with proper brushing is the first step in
good oral health. The Kochman Centre offers these essential brushing tips:
Use the Right
Toothbrush: A soft toothbrush is best because it’s
gentle on the teeth and gums. Make sure that the size, grip
and shape are comfortable and that it reaches the entire surface
of all your teeth. For people with arthritis or other conditions
that inhibit movement, an electric or sonic toothbrush is an
effective and easy-to-use alternative.
Take Your Time: It
may seem like a long time, but a good brushing takes 2 to 3 minutes – one
minute for the top teeth, one minute for the bottom. The Kochman
Centre recommends that you brush your teeth at least twice daily – when
you wake up and before you sleep, and ideally after each meal.
Use a Good Technique: You
should always brush toward the end of the tooth and away from
the gumline. Dr. Kochman does not recommend brushing from side
to side, as it can cause damage to the gums. Using tepid water
for brushing and rinsing is also better for the teeth and gums.
Brushing your tongue is also important in preventing bad breath.
For people that find it uncomfortable to brush their tongues,
Dr. Kochman recommends using a tongue scraper.
reaches areas and removes plaque that your toothbrush cannot.
The Kochman Centre recommends that you floss daily. Dr. Kochman
also knows that many people have trouble flossing, or simply
don’t like it – there are alternatives. Your dentist
can show you how to floss correctly or you can use a Waterpik
or gum stimulator to remove plaque from between the teeth.
a Massage: Not only is massage great for your body,
it’s great for your gums. The Kochman Centre advises
that you use your index finger to gently massage your gums
in a circular motion. This increases blood flow to the gum
tissue and promotes healthy gums and teeth.
Make a Change: Dr.
Kochman recommends that you change your toothbrush every 3 months.
A new toothbrush is shown to be more effective in removing plaque.
If you’ve had a recent illness, Dr. Kochman advises that
you change your toothbrush in order to prevent re-infection.
There are many steps to good oral health. Regular
brushing and flossing, combined with routine checkups are great
ways to maintain a healthy mouth.
If you have had rheumatic heart disease or if you have a heart murmur or artificial
joint, we need to know!
During dental treatment, including cleanings,
bacteria from your mouth may get into your bloodstream, where
they can cause infections
on the valves of
your heart or around artificial joints. To eliminate risk to your health,
you may need preventive antibiotics. The Heart Association recommends
one hour before treatment and six hours after the initial dose. In case of
allergies to amoxicillin, the heart association suggests alternative antibiotics
such as erythromycin.
We follow the Heart Association guidelines,
but we advise you to discuss your special needs with your physician.
time you come in, tell us
changes in your condition or treatment so that we can update your medical