Request An Appointment

Personal Oral Hygiene 
​Instructions
​​(562) 518-7288 
(562) 424-9473

Brushing the teeth
short horizontal technique - brushing strokes that goes on the cheekside, tongue side, lip side  and chewing side of the teeth
Brushing the Gumline
How to brush the area where the gum tissue meets the tooth
(A) Position half the bristles on the tooth and half on the gums
(B) Apply moderate pressure to head of toothbrush in the direction the bristles are pointing;
(C) Use slow , short, back and forth strokes (not up and down) keeping the tips of the bristles in the same place. ​

---

INTERDENTAL Brush or PROXABRUSH

Interdental or Interproximal Brush is use to clean teeth where the toothbrush bristles can't get access. Removing PLAQUE in between teeth is necessary to prevent cavities and gum disease in between the teeth. 
Gum Disease will cause destruction of bone eventually and leave large spaces between teeth. Therefore interproximal brush will aid in cleaning where toothbrush can't reach. 

Rinsing
After flossing all of your teeth, rinse your mouth by forcing water vigorously back and forth between the teeth to remove the material that has been loosened or dislodged by the floss.
​

Flossing

Only 3 out of 5 tooth surfaces can be adequately cleaned with a toothbrush. 
Dental floss must be used to clean the others. You should floss at least once a day- preferably before going to bed. Cut off a piece of dental floss about one feet long. Wrap one end around the right index finger for holding or anchoring. Use the right thumb to hold the floss against the right index finger. Grasp the other end of the floss on the left hand so that a one inch length is between the hands. Slip the floss between each pair of teeth by drawing it 
gently and slightly back and forth. Carry the floss under the gum until you feel definite resistance without discomfort, completely hugging the side of that tooth that you're working and then do the up and down motion scraping it  along the sides of both teeth.
 

ENGLISH
Periodontal Disease -Gum Disease

Periodontal disease is the most common cause of loss of teeth as the person ages. The word  "periodontal" means around the tooth. Periodontal disease refers to the deterioration of the soft tissue (gums) and bone around the teeth. Periodontal disease begins when plaque  "a sticky white film" accumulates on your teeth. Your saliva will calcify the plaque if it is not removed by proper home care. This calcified plaque is called tartar or calculus. Tartar generally accumulates at the gum line. Tartar can only be removed by your dentist or Hygienist. An inflammation of the gums (gums) will take place if the tartar is not
regularly removed. This inflammation may first reveal itself as mild gum irritation with bleeding during brushing. However, the real damage is occurring in the underlying  bone. The bone which supports the tooth is being resorbed away. In the advanced stage of periodontal disease (periodontitis), the tooth may become infected and require removal. Periodontal disease is common because you cannot actually see the underlying bone destruction taking place. Periodontal disease is easily controlled and treated with proper home care and regular dental checkups and cleaning. 

---

SPANISH
​Enfermedad Periodontal

La enfermedad periodontal (conocida comúnmente con el nombre de piorrea) es la  causa mas coriente de perdida de dientes y muelas al envejecer. La palabra " Periodontal", se refiere al deteriorodel tejido blando (encias) y del hueso alrededor de los dientes. La enfermedad periodontal se inicia cuando la placa ( una capa blanca pegajosa) se acumula  en
muelas y dientes. La saliva calcifica le placa si esta no elimina con el debido cuidado  higiénico. A esta placa calcificada se le llama sarro o calculo. El sarro se acumula, por lo general, en el borde de las encias y solo el dentista o el higiniesta pueden eliminario.
si el sarro no se limpia con regularidad, se producde una inflamacion en las encias, que puede empezar a manifestares comuna irritacion leve de las encías. al sangrar durante el cepillado de los dientes. Pero en realidad, el verdadero cano ocurre en el hueso interior. Hay una erosion del hueso que aguanta la muela o diente. En las etapas avanzadas de la enfermedad periodontal (periodontitis), mueles y dientes pueden infectarse, iendo necesaria su extracción. La enfermedad periodontal se desarrolla con frecuencia, pues es divicil advertir a simple visita la destruccion osea que se esta  desarrollando. La enfermedad 
periodontal puedecontrolarse y tratarse fácilmente, con una higiene dental diaria adecuada,
así como exámenes y limpiezas dentales regulares.
​

Do you occasionally experience dry mouth? 

It can lead to bad breath. Drinking water and chewing gum can stimulate saliva and reduces bacteria that causes bad breath.
​

Don't ignore dry mouth It can lead to  

1. Ongoing bad breath
2. Cavities
3. Mouth Infections
Do more than just sip water. What is DRY MOUTH? Dry mouth occurs when the amount of saliva in your mouth is reduced. Saliva, with its protein and enzymes, is essential for keeping your mouth lubricated and healthy. It can flush away bacteria, reduce bad breath,
prevent infections and aid digestion.
Dry Mouth and Poor Oral Hygiene -What is the connection?
When your mouth isn't moist enough,food and bacteria can stick to your teeth. This causes
a build-up of plaque. This build-up increases your chances of the ongoing bad breath, cavities, gum disease, mouth infections, and other oral problems. ​

How common is Dry Mouth?
If you have dry mouth, you are not alone. It affects about 1 out of every 4 adults. Over 50 Million americans have this condition and many may not know it.
What causes DRY MOUTH?
Condition such as Cancer, diabetes, and depression are associated with dry mouth. HOWEVER, medications are the number one cause. Both prescription and non-prescription
medications can cause dry mouth. And taking more than one significantly increase the risk.
How to manage Dry Mouth Symptoms?
1. Soothe and moisturize - use soothing liquid and effective gel that offers relief, especially at night.
2.Daily Cleaning- `use mouthwashes and cavity-preventing flouride toothpastes. Alcohol and detergent free products that are specifically designed to refresh a dry mouth and reduce bad breath.
3. Saliva Stimulation- Use breath-freshening gums to stimulate salivary flow. Or use salivary enzyme to maintain the oral environment and provide protection against dry mouth symptoms and help supplement some of the saliva's natural defenses. 
Example:
BIOTENE Product line
#1 for Dry Mouth Management or Ask your health care professional to help you choose  products that are right for you.
How Do I know I know if I have a DRY MOUTH?
One problem of dry mouth is that saliva may need to be reduced by 50% before you realize you have the symptoms of dry mouth. At this point oral problems may already have set in. 
Dry mouth can have a profound impact. It can affect you physically, emotionally and  socially. If you have dry mouth you may already be experiencing or could experience any of the following:
Physical Impact: Ongoing bad breath, increase number of cavities, mouth infections, increased plaque, cracked lips, difficulty talking/eating, or an altered sense of taste.  
Emotional Impact: feeling self-conscious, anxious, or stressed, feeling different from others or having low confidence level.
Social Impact: Need to carry and sip water throughout the day, feeling embarrassed and/or irritable, or avoiding eating out and other social situations.

Regular Dental Cleaning at Jeff Velasquez DDS   
​ (562) 424-9473  /  (562) 518-7288