Find Your Flossing Technique

If you’ve recently consumed a meal that was rich in carbohydrates, it’s time to find some floss. Even if you brush your teeth after eating, a plaque that is left on the teeth contains bacteria that feed on these leftovers. Plaque that is not adequately removed can harden into a substance called tartar which only our team of hygienists at Downtown Dental LLC will be able to remove. We’ve previously mentioned that there is a proper way to brush your teeth, but there is also a proper way to floss. To reap the benefits try utilizing these tips the next time you clean between your teeth.  

• Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty.


• Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.


• Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.


• When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a “C” shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.


• Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up-and-down motions. Repeat this method for the rest of your teeth and don’t forget the molars!

If you have questions about improving your oral hygiene routine, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.downtown-dental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Downtown Dental LLC in Chicago, IL, call 312-782-8862. 

Brush Your Teeth with This Technique

It’s no secret that brushing your teeth on a daily basis will not only keep your oral health in prime shape but your overall health as well. The American Dental Association, as well as our doctors at Downtown Dental LLC, recommends that you brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes. You may be surprised to learn that there is a proper way to brush your teeth. Next time you’re standing over the sink with a toothbrush in hand, try utilizing these tips.

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.


• Move the brush back and forth in a circular motion in short (tooth-wide) strokes.


• Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.


• Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.


• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria.

If you have questions about improving your oral hygiene routine, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.downtown-dental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Downtown Dental LLC in Chicago, IL, call 312-782-8862. 

Invisalign

Do you desire a straighter smile but are putting off the decision because you don’t want to have a mouth full of metal? Well, wait no longer. As a certified Invisalign Provider, our doctors at Downtown Dental LLC can help patients straighten their teeth discreetly, using a series of removable plastic aligners. Designed for both teens and adults, Invisalign clear aligners can not only transform your smile, it can provide you with benefits that traditional braces may not.

With Invisalign, there are no brackets and no wires which mean that there are very few food restrictions to the patient. Additionally, because the trays are removable, you will be allowed to brush and floss like you usually do. After scheduling a consultation with one of our doctors, you will be given a series of Invisalign aligners that are custom-made for your mouth and your mouth only. Each aligner makes slight adjustments to a tooth’s position, a process that is mapped out in advance. After approximately two weeks, after wearing your aligners for the recommended 22 hours daily, you will begin using the next set of aligners, which continues the teeth straightening process. Duration of treatment will depend on the patient, but if you think Invisalign may be the right choice for you, schedule a consultation today.

If you have questions regarding Invisalign or other orthodontic options we offer, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.downtown-dental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Downtown Dental LLC in Chicago, IL, call 312-782-8862.