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Oral Hygiene Instruction (OHI)
with Special Oral Disease Control
Oral Hygiene Instruction
This is the first and most important step in addressing the infection in your mouth. Download our OHI sheet as a PDF.
Clinical instruction is recommended prior to beginning this technique.
While brushing the cheek side (buccal) surfaces of your teeth, position the brush at a 45-degree angle where your gums and teeth meet. Gently move the brush in a jiggling motion (side to side motion with no horizontal movement) followed by a sweep away from the gum to remove the plaque. Use light pressure, ideally holding your elbow up and parallel with the floor.
Second, you will brush the tongue side (lingual) surfaces of the teeth by holding the toothbrush straight up and down, jiggling up and down, followed by a sweep away from the gum to remove the plaque.
Next you will clean the biting occlusal surfaces of your teeth. To do this use short, gentle strokes. Change the position of the brush as often as necessary to reach and clean all surfaces.
If you have any pain while brushing or have any questions about how to brush properly, please be sure to contact our office.
How to Floss
Periodontal (gum) disease usually appears between the teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing is a very effective way to remove plaque from those surfaces. However, it is important to develop the proper technique. The following instructions will help you, but remember it takes time and practice and we recommend clinical instruction in our office.
Start with a piece of floss about 18" long. Lightly wrap most of the floss around the middle finger of one hand. Wrap the rest of the floss around the middle finger of the other hand.
To clean between the upper teeth, hold the floss tightly between the thumb and forefinger (pointer finger) of each hand. Gently insert the floss tightly between the teeth. Do not force the floss or try to snap it in to place. Bring the floss just below the gum line then curve it into a C-shape against each tooth. Slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth until you feel light resistance. Remember there are two tooth surfaces that need to be cleaned in each interproximal space. Continue to floss each side of all the teeth. Be careful not to cut the gum tissue between the teeth. As the floss becomes soiled, roll (wrap) the floss off the left hand finger and onto the right hand finger to get a fresh section. Never move floss up and down on the tooth.
How to Proxybrush
Use a proxybrush to clean between teeth. Use it by cleaning each individual tooth with an “in and out” motion while ensuring that the bristles are under the “gum” as you clean the teeth. Use the proxybrush from the tongue side (lingual) and the cheek side (buccal) of the teeth.
How to Clean Behind Posterior Teeth
Use cotton filled gauze to clean (shoeshine) behind the last tooth in each quadrant and anywhere there is open space between your teeth.
How to Use a WaterPik
Use a waterpik after all brushing techniques. Never use prior to any brushing, flossing or proxybrushing. This should be your final step prior to using flouride treatment.
Caring for Sensitive Teeth
Sometimes after dental treatment, teeth are sensitive to hot and cold. This should not last long, but will improve only if the mouth is kept clean. If the mouth is not kept clean the sensitivity will remain and could become more severe. Fluoride (Gel-kam and Prevident) can be applied to reduce sensitivity following periodontal treatment. These products can be prescribed by a dental professional.
Choosing Oral Hygiene Products
Your periodontist is the best person to help you select the appropriate dentitrices (products) to use to reduce the bacterial levels in your mouth.
We recommend using Oxyfresh Toothpaste and Rinse www.oxyfresh.com and Colgate fluoride (Gel-Kam & Prevident) www.colgate.com.
Fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses, if used in conjunction with brushing and flossing, can reduce tooth decay as much as 40%. Remember, these products are not recommended for children under six years of age.
