HOW TO BRUSH AND FLOSS LAKE FOREST, FOOTHILL RANCH - BRUSH AND FLOSS MISSION VIEJO - BRUSH AND FLOSS RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA - BRUSH AND FLOSS IRVINE - (949) 583-1500 - DR. PARISA ZARBAFAIN, 92610, El Toro, Saddleback, Coto De Caza, Dove Canyon, Portola Hills, Trabuco Canyon

HOW TO
BRUSH AND FLOSS

Brushing
and
flossing
"good oral hygiene"

are the two mainstays of oral hygiene. Most people brush, but few have been shown to remove the plaque from under the edge of the gum. The bristles of the brush must slide into the cuff of the gum, like a broom may slide under the edge of the refrigerator. The brush should be positioned at a 45 degree angle to the tooth, and move in a small circular motion, or shimmy. Scrubbing is not recommended, in that it may lead to gum recession. (See How to Brush below) We recommend the use of an electric toothbrush and would be happy to discuss which one would be best for you.

Brush angles under the gum

Brushing lower molars

Brushing upper molars

Electric brushes have been shown to be more efficient than manual brushes. For most people they are easier to use. However, they also must be properly placed around the teeth to remove plaque. They do NOT replace the need for floss.

How To Brush The object of brushing is to remove plaque from the tooth surface and from under the edge of the gum, on the inside and outside of the tooth. It is important to remember that periodontal disease starts under the gum edge, and placing the bristles in the sulcus is important when brushing. Also, remember that brushing cannot access plaque that forms under the gum's edge between the teeth, and flossing is needed to complete that important step of oral hygiene.

Toothbrush at 45 degree angle to tooth, allowing bristles to slide between the tooth and gum, to clean plaque hidden in the sulcus.

To brush, angle the bristles of the brush at 45 degrees to the side of the tooth. This allows the bristles to slide under the edge of the gum, reaching the hidden plaque. Think of sliding broom bristles under the edge of a refrigerator to remove dirt. The brush should not be scrubbed back and forth, but rather shimmied or rotated in small circular motions. This allows the bristles to remain under the gum's edge, and also prevents wearing the gum.

Brushing the inside of the upper back teeth. Angle the bristles at 45 degrees and make a jiggling motion.	Brushing the outside of the upper back teeth. Do not scrub.
Brushing the inside of the lower back teeth.	Brushing the outside of the lower back teeth.
Brushing the outside of the upper front teeth.	Brushing the outside of the lower front teeth.

When all the teeth have been brushed under the edge of the gum, the top surfaces can be brushed. Brush the cheeks and tongue as well, for plaque forms throughout the mouth. Remember that brushing does not clean between the teeth, and flossing is needed to complete your daily oral hygiene

We generally recommend the usage of an electric toothbrush such as the Sonicare, Braun or Oral-B. These toothbrushes have been scientically proven to be superior at plaque removal than manual or regular toothbrushes. The angle that these brushes should be directed is similar to a manual toothbrush, however the toothbrush will perform the brushing action required. We recommend you spend 2 minutes brushing the top teeth, 2 minutes brushing the bottom teeth and spend 1 minute for flossing every morning and evening.

Flossing
is the only way to remove plaque from under the gum, between the teeth. Because most periodontal disease starts between the teeth, flossing is even more important than brushing. MOUTHWASHES DO NOT REPLACE THE NEED FOR FLOSSING. Good flossing is a skill that takes practice, but nothing can replace it in preventing periodontal disease. When learned, it should only take 2-3 minutes a day. When flossing it is important to slide the floss slightly under the gum, wrapping around the tooth as far as possible. A clean surface will elicit a "squeaky clean" sound.

How To Floss
Brushing removes the bacterial plaque from the sides of the teeth, but no brush is able to go between the teeth AND under the gums. Unfortunately, this is where most periodontal disease starts, so it is critical to remove plaque from these critical areas. Flossing is the most important contribution you can make to your own oral health. Learning how to floss properly takes time and patience, and most patients feel awkward flossing at first. However, once learned, it is an easy task that you will enjoy because your mouth will feel cleaner than ever before. It is not important when you floss, only that you do it at least once a day. Because it is not necessary to rinse when flossing, many patients find that after learning the technique, they can floss while watching television.

First, break off an 18-inch length of floss (any kind you like). Wrap the floss around your middle fingers, allowing enough room to control the floss with your index fingers and thumbs.

Floss wrapped around middle fingers leaving 4 - 5 inches between hands	Floss crosses over top of index fingers, which act to guide floss between teeth
Using index fingers allows easy placement of floss in back regions of the mouth	Floss may also be used by crossing over an index finger and opposite thumb

Using thumb and index finger for flossing front teeth

Gently slide the floss between two teeth, allowing it to pass through the contact of the two teeth. Many people think this is the stopping point , but it is only the preliminary step.

Flossing going past the contact point of the front two teeth. The gum has not yet been cleaned.

Once the floss "breaks the contact", slide it between the gum and one of the teeth as far as it will go, without causing discomfort. The floss is moved up and down several times, until the plaque is dislodged. When you hear the floss "squeak", the tooth surface is clean. Don't remove the floss, but rather slide the floss against the other tooth, and repeat the procedure. Each time the floss goes between two teeth there are two places that must be flossed: the side of one tooth and the side of the other tooth. These are two separate steps.

Slide the floss under the edge of the gum of one tooth, wrapping around the tooth. Gently move the floss up and down.

Next guide the floss under the gum of the adjacent tooth, wrapping the floss and guiding it up and down.

Once the floss has cleaned between the two teeth, move to the next contact and repeat the procedure until all the teeth have been flossed, front and back.

Flossing the back of the canine, pulling the floss forward to wrap around the tooth.

Flossing the front of the adjacent tooth by pushing the floss backward to wrap around the tooth

At first it may take 10-15 minutes to complete the mouth, but when you become proficient, flossing should take a total of less than 5 minutes. This is the best investment of time you can make toward your oral health.

There are many other aids that are available to help with oral hygiene. These include small brushes that can clean spaces between the teeth (proxibrush), and threaders to guide floss under bridges (floss threaders). Toothpicks may be recommended to help clean furcations. Each patient is individually assessed to see what may help optimize their cleaning efforts.

Proxibrush entering space between teeth

Proxibrush cleaning between teeth


*We help with Cosmetic Dentistry, Othodontics, Crowns, Vaneers, Lumaneers, Invisalign and Whitening (Zoom) Foothill Ranch Office (Serving Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Rancho Santa Margarita, Irvine, Coto De Caza, Saddleback, El Toro, Tustin, San Juan Capistrano, and beyond) (949) 583-1500*

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Our Dental Services Include: Cosmetic Dentistry, Lava, Crowns, Bridges, Lumaneers, Porcelain Veneers, Inlays, Onlays, Zoom, Orthodontic, Ortho, Othrodontics, Braces Invisalign, Dental Implants, Periodontist, Cleanings, Bonding, White Fillings, Partial Dentures, Complete Dentures, Oral Surgery, Bleaching, Whitening, Restorative Dentistry, Gum Treatment, Extractions.

ProSmile Dentistry Serves the Southern Orange County and Southern California
Dentistfoothillranch.com recieves many customers from the following cities and zipcodes:

Lake Forest 92609, 92630, Foothill Ranch 92610, Mission Viejo 92675, 92690, 92691, 92692, 92694, El Toro 92609, 92610, 92630, Irvine 92602, 92603, 92604, 92606, 92612, 92614, 92616, 92618, 92619, 92620, 92623, 92650, 92697, 92709, 92710, Laguna Hills 92637, 92653, 92654, 92656, Laguna Niguel 92607, 92677, Rancho Santa Margarita 92688, San Juan Capistrano 92675, 92690, 92691, 92692, 92693, 92694 Coto De Caza 92679, Dove Canyon 92679, Cowan Heights 92705, Silverado 92676, Trabuco Canyon 92678, 92679, 92688, Modjeska 92676, Robinson Ranch 92679, Ladera Ranch 92694, Tustin 92780, 92781, 92782, San Juan Capistrano 92675, 92690, 92691, 92692, 92693, 92694, Ladera Ranch 92694, California

ProSmile Dentistry - My Friendly Dentist in Foothill Ranch
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INFORMATION ABOUT THE CITIES PROSMILE DENTISTRY SERVES:

About Foothill Ranch: Foothill Ranch was a census-designated place in Orange County, California, United States. The population was 10,899 at the 2000 census. Foothill Ranch was annexed into Lake Forest, California in 2000. Foothill Ranch is notable for such company headquarters as Oakley, Inc., Wet Seal, Kaiser Aluminum, Risa Technologies and Saddleback Church. Foothill Ranch includes the zipcode: 92610

About Lake Forest: Lake Forest incorporated as a new city on December 20, 1991. Residents voted to name the city Lake Forest, after two expensive master planned residential communities, denying the longer claim to the territory by the community of El Toro. Since being founded, it has expanded its limits to include the newer communities of Foothill Ranch and Portola Hills. The multiplicity of names often creates confusion: some people in the Portola Hills neighborhood, for example, can receive mail addressed to them at Portola Hills, Lake Forest, or Trabuco Canyon. The zip code 92679 is a Trabuco Canyon zip code even though not a single area in the zip code is Trabuco Canyon. This might be because since 92679 is assigned to the northeastern area of Rancho Santa Margarita and the southern area of Lake Forest it would be too confusing for the postal services because 2 cities are both served by that zip code. Lake Forest (along with its neighboring cities Mission Viejo and Irvine) is ranked as one of the safest cities in the country. The private research firm Morgan Quitno ranked Lake Forest as the 15th safest city and another firm later ranked Lake Forest 10th in 2007 in the United States. Lake Forest includes the following zipcodes: 92609, 92630.

About Mission Viejo: Located in South Orange County, Mission Viejo is a planned community that once had cattle grazing on its hillsides. The land was purchased from the O�Neill family nearly half a century ago, and the first homes were built in 1966. By the late 80�s, Mission Viejo became a city, and now houses almost 100,000 residents. Locals enjoy activities at the Mission Viejo Lake, shopping at The Shops at Mission Viejo and the Kaleidoscope Courtyard, and their biggest celebration of the year at the July 4th Street Fair. The community is also proud of their world renowned Nadadores swim team and Saddleback Community College, which offers some of the best golf courses in the county. Mission Viejo includes the following Zipcodes: 92675, 92690, 92691, 92692, 92694.

About Dove Canyon: Dove Canyon is a gated community in Rancho Santa Margarita. Dove Canyon boarders the Cleveland National Forest and is best known for its choice golf courses. Residents enjoy the outdoors at the Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park and the Wagon Wheel Park Bike Trails, as well as a variety of community and family events such as the Boo Bash and Holiday in the Park Dove Canyon includes the zipcode: 92610

About Irvine: Irvine was originally a home to livestock and later crops of barley, lima beans, asparagus, avocado, oranges, and strawberries. The huge planned community that remains today was originally from James Irvine�s plot of land in the mid 1800�s: the Irvine Ranch. After The University of California Irvine (UCI) was established in the 1960�s, the development of Irvine�s characteristic housing plots was underway. Today, nearly 200,000 people call Irvine home, making it the largest planned community in the nation. Irvine is known for its clean and regulated suburban neighborhoods, as well as the Irvine Spectrum shopping and entertainment center, Wild Rivers Water Park, and the outdoor concert arena � the Verizon Amphitheater. Irvine includes the following zipcodes: 92602, 92603, 92604, 92606, 92612, 92614, 92616, 92618, 92619, 92620, 92623, 92650, 92697, 92709, 92710

About Rancho Santa Margarita: Before it was owned by the O�Neill family, Rancho Santa Margarita was home to Shoshonean Native Americans. RSM is one of the many planned communities in Orange County and is also one of the newest, having become a city in 2000. The community known as �A Small City with the Soul of a Small Village� is the perfect place for families and today nearly 50,000 people call it home. Community activities such as the Fourth of July Celebration and the Summer Concert Series are favorites among residents. Rancho Santa Margarita includes the following zipcode: 92688

About Portola Hills: Portola Hills is a small community located just north of Rancho Santa Margarita. Portola Hills offers fantastic mountain views and quiet living for singles, couples and families in Orange County. Residents enjoy swimming, tennis, basketball, and volleyball at the brand new Concourse Park. The community is just minutes from various shopping centers and marketplaces. Portola Hills includes the following zipcode: 92679

About Coto De Caza: Coto De Caza is one of the oldest planned communities in Orange County and is located in Rancho Santa Margarita. Coto De Caza offers a beautiful landscape of Oak trees, hills, trails and parks such as the Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park and the Wagon Wheel Park Bike Trails. The Coto De Caza Sports and Recreation Park serves as a community center for various events, concerts and activities. Portola Hills includes the following zipcode: 92679

MY FRIENDLY FOOTHILL RANCH DENTIST