Home Care - Clair Family Dentistry

A beautiful, healthy smile that lasts a lifetime is our ultimate goal when treating patients. Your personal home care plays an important role in achieving that goal. Your personal home care starts by eating balanced meals, reducing the number of snacks you eat, and correctly using the various dental aids that help control the plaque and bacteria that cause dental disease.

Tooth brushing

Brush your teeth at least twice a day (especially before going to bed at night) with an ADA approved soft bristle brush and toothpaste.

Place the brush at a 45 degree angle to the gums and gently brush using a small, circular motion, ensuring that you always feel the bristles on the gums.
Brush the outer, inner, and biting surfaces of each tooth.
Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside of the front teeth.
Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

Electric toothbrushes are also recommended. They are easy to use and can remove plaque efficiently. Simply place the bristles of the electric brush on your gums and teeth and allow the brush to do its job, several teeth at a time.

Flossing

Daily flossing is the best way to clean between the teeth and under the gumline. Flossing not only helps clean these spaces, it disrupts plaque colonies from building up, preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone.

Take 12-16 inches (30-40cm) of dental floss and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches (5cm) of floss between the hands.
Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently insert the floss between teeth using a sawing motion.
Curve the floss into a “C” shape around each tooth and under the gumline. Gently move the floss up and down, cleaning the side of each tooth.

Floss holders are recommended if you have difficulty using conventional floss.

Rinsing

It is important to rinse your mouth with water after brushing, and also after meals if you are unable to brush. If you are using an over-the-counter product for rinsing, it’s a good idea to consult with your dentist or dental hygienist on its appropriateness for you.

Use other dental aids as recommended by your dentist or dental hygienist: Interdental brushes, rubber tip stimulators, tongue cleaners, irrigation devices, fluoride, medicated rinses, etc., can all play a role in good dental home care.

“Thank you from our family for helping us during our dental emergency. Amie called you when our son’s front top permanent tooth was knocked out on a Sunday afternoon, and thanks to you for answering your phone and giving us advice he will hopefully get to keep his tooth until old enough for an implant. Words can’t express how thankful we are! Thank you a million times over.”
Paula D.
“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your accommodating me by solving my dental problem while I was visiting family recently. Not only did you see me on short notice but applied your expert dentistry professionally, painlessly and perfectly! In addition, your assistant and reception staff were equally competent and pleasantly accommodating. Imagine: A visit to the dentist was a pleasant, enjoyable experience. Perhaps the Haligonian hospitality and friendliness has simply transferred to CO and your business :)”
John
“I just wanted to send a quick note thanking you for all your help over the past few months with my lower front tooth. The flipper is working great as the temporary solution. I look forward to seeing you over the summer after having the implant placed.”
Mike H.
“Thanks for cementing my tooth. You were very gentle. It feels better.”
Karson – age 8
“Thank you so much for fixing my tooth this morning. I really appreciate you taking the time so I didn’t have to go to school with it broken on Monday. We are so lucky to have such a great, kind dentist. Thank you!”
Maya Y.
“Thank you for taking such great care of me. You really went above and beyond on a Sunday by seeing me at your office when I was having such severe tooth pain. Your extraordinary care didn’t go unnoticed. Thank you for being an amazing dentist and caregiver.”
Stephanie W.
“Thank you so much for your patience and kindness. You made my experience with a dentist the best I’ve ever had. I appreciate everything you did to make me comfortable. I would recommend your office to everyone!”
Melissa B.
“I wanted to thank you for the excellent care you have given me over the years. I feel so fortunate to have found you as a dentist. You are always understanding and incredibly patient with my questions. You also always go out of your way to make sure my pain is more than adequately managed and that my anxiety is kept under control. I think it is amazing that you are always smiling and friendly in spite of having what I’m sure can be a stressful job. I am not surprised that you are so busy. Thanks for everything!”
Kelly T.
“Thanks so much for taking such good care of me, especially since it was after hours. You are always a calm and reassuring presence and your caring and compassion is exemplary. I truly appreciate your exemplary dental care.
Thanks!”
Cindy A.
“Thank you for being such a fantastic dentist. Your professionalism and the entire quality of your staff make dental care easy and as painless as possible. your dedication to your craft is evident in your work and I feel very lucky to be your patient. Thanks for being awesome!”
Rebecca L.

Cleanings & Prevention

Tooth brushing

Flossing

Rinsing

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