Dr. Michael C. Hattaway
Family Dentistry

 
1317 Central Drive
Sanford, NC 27330

PO Box 2517
Sanford, NC 27331

Phone: (919) 775-2522
Fax: (919) 774-5639
 
Email:
lisa_hattaway@windstream.net
frontdesk
_hattaway@windstream.net




Oral Hygiene Basics

PROPER BRUSHING
Proper brushing helps minimize the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, the major causes of tooth loss. Use a soft-bristle brush and an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste to remove plaque and food particles. Replace your brush every three months.

On outer and inner surfaces, brush at a 45-degree angle in short, half-tooth-wide strokes against the gumline.
On chewing surfaces, hold the brush flat and brush back and forth.
On inside surfaces of front teeth, tilt brush vertically and use gentle up and down strokes with toe of brush.Brushing
Brush the tongue in a back-to-front sweeping motion to remove food particles and freshen your mouth.




PROPER FLOSSING
Flossing daily removes plaque and food particles between teeth and below the gumline.
Flossingarrow2.gif (188 bytes) Wrap an 18-inch strand around your middle fingers and hold a one-inch section tightly.
Flossingarrow2.gif (188 bytes) Ease floss between teeth. Clean up and down several times while curving around teeth at the gumline.
FlossingFlossing
Always floss behind the last tooth. Unwind clean floss as you proceed.
Flossingarrow2.gif (188 bytes) Floss around the abutment teeth of a bridge and under artificial teeth using a floss threader.