Oral Hygiene in the Virgin Islands

A Brief Summary of the Following Article

  • Periodontal Disease: Gum diseases, rather than cavities, are the leading cause of tooth loss in adults over 35, largely preventable through daily brushing and flossing.
  • Plaque: Bacterial plaque, a colorless film on teeth, causes periodontal disease and decay, removable by daily thorough brushing and flossing.
  • Hygiene Practices: Improving oral hygiene involves brushing twice daily, flossing correctly, choosing suitable oral care products, and making regular dentist visits.
  • Professional Support: VI Dental Center offers tailored dental care advice and services, including preventive care and treatments for enhancing oral hygiene and overall dental health.
At VI Dental Center, we focus on compassionate, comprehensive dentistry throughout the Virgin Islands, including St. Croix and St. Thomas. Over the past decade, our goal has been to serve our communities with exceptional dental care, offering a range of services from cosmetic treatments to general dentistry. Our team is dedicated to ensuring a healthier, lasting smile for our patients, prioritizing high-quality care and a wide range of treatment options to meet their needs.

If you’re worried about improving your oral hygiene and reducing the risk of gum or periodontal disease, we can help guide you in the right direction for your care. We can also provide personalized recommendations and instructions when you schedule an appointment with us. Please get in touch with us for more information and support, and we can answer any questions you might have.

Why Is Oral Hygiene so Important?

Adults over 35 lose more teeth to gum disease (periodontal disease) than from cavities. The best way to prevent cavities and periodontal disease is to use good tooth brushing and flossing techniques, which should be performed daily.

Bacterial plaque is the cause of periodontal disease and decay. Plaque is a colorless film that sticks to teeth at the gum line and constantly forms on teeth. By thorough daily brushing and flossing, you can remove these germs and help prevent periodontal disease. We also recommend you visit your dentist at least two times a year unless your provider recommends you come in for cleanings more frequently.

How to Brush Correctly and Effectively

Our team at VI Dental Center recommends using a soft to medium toothbrush. Position the brush at a 45-degree angle where your gums and teeth meet and then gently move the brush in a circular motion using small, gentle strokes to brush the outside surfaces of your teeth. Use light pressure while putting the bristles between the teeth. However, do not use so much pressure that you feel any discomfort.

If you are using a stiffer toothbrush and notice discomfort, we recommend brushing with less intensity or switching to a soft-bristled toothbrush instead. This will help ensure you protect your teeth’s enamel without sacrificing plaque removal.

When you are done cleaning the outside surfaces of all your teeth, follow the same directions while cleaning the inside of the back teeth. Hold the brush vertically to clean the inside surfaces of the upper and lower front teeth and then make several gentle back-and-forth strokes over each tooth. Don’t forget to gently brush the surrounding gum tissue.

Next, you will clean the biting surfaces of your teeth by using short, gentle strokes. Change the brush’s position as often as necessary to reach and clean all surfaces. After you are done, rinse vigorously to remove any plaque you might have loosened while brushing.

How to Floss Correctly

Periodontal disease usually appears between the teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing is a very effective way to remove plaque from those surfaces. However, it is essential to develop the proper technique. 

Start with a piece of floss (waxed is easier) that is about 18” long. Lightly wrap most of the floss around the middle finger of one hand and then wrap the rest of the floss around the middle finger of the other hand. If you find that wrapping the floss around your pointer or ring finger is more comfortable, you can also do this.

To clean the upper teeth, hold the floss tightly between the thumb and forefinger of each hand. Gently insert the floss tightly between the teeth using a back-and-forth motion. Please do not force the floss or try to snap it into place. Bring the floss to the gum line and then curve it into a C-shape against one tooth. Slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth until you feel light resistance. 

More Tips on How to Floss Effectively 

Move the floss up and down on the side of one tooth. Remember, there are two tooth surfaces that need to be cleaned in each space. Getting in between the teeth very quickly will be much less effective than giving each part of the tooth the proper attention. Continue to floss each side of all the upper teeth. However, be careful not to cut the gum tissue between the teeth. As the floss becomes dirty, turn from one finger to the other to get a fresh section.

To clean between the bottom teeth, guide the floss using the forefingers of both hands. Do not forget the back side of the last tooth on both sides, upper and lower.

When you are done, rinse vigorously with water to remove plaque and food particles. Do not be alarmed if, during the first week of flossing, your gums bleed or are a little sore. Bleeding gums generally indicate you have not flossed frequently enough in the recent past, but flossing more regularly will help. 

If your gums hurt while flossing, you could be doing it too hard or pinching the gum. As you floss daily and remove the plaque, your gums will heal, and the bleeding should stop.

Choosing Oral Hygiene Products

Automatic and “high-tech” electronic toothbrushes are safe and effective for most patients. Oral irrigators (water spraying devices) will rinse your mouth thoroughly but will not remove plaque, meaning you need to brush and floss in conjunction with the irrigator. 

Some toothbrushes have a rubber tip on the handle; this is used to massage the gums after brushing. There are also tiny brushes (interproximal toothbrushes) that clean between your teeth. If these are used improperly, you could injure the gums, so discuss proper use with your dentist.

Also, fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses, if used in conjunction with brushing and flossing, can reduce tooth decay by as much as 40%. Remember, these rinses are not recommended for children under six years of age. Tartar control toothpastes will reduce tartar above the gum line, but gum disease starts below the gum line so these products have not been proven to reduce the early stages of gum disease.

How Else Can a Dentist Support You With Your Oral Hygiene?

If you have any concerns about your dental care, our team of dentists can give you more specific information and tailored recommendations based on your particular needs and lifestyle. We are also prepared to assist you in several other ways, including but not limited providing the following services:

  • Crowns
  • Root canals
  • Extractions
  • Teeth cleanings
  • Bridges
  • Dental restorations
  • Dental implants
  • Cavity fillings
  • Veneers
  • Dental sealants
  • Dentures
  • Remove tooth decay
  • Teeth whitenings
  • Diagnosing oral diseases
  • Dental bonding
  • Invisalign and other clear aligners
  • Repairing or removing damaged teeth
  • Laser dentistry
  • Preventive care
  • Restorations

Feel free to ask us any questions about our services, and we’ll happily answer. We pride ourselves on providing our patients with the high-quality and dedicated care they deserve, allowing them to feel confident in their smiles and oral health. If you want to boost your oral health and prioritize your oral hygiene, don’t hesitate to get in touch with VI Dental Center today!

Get Seen By A Virgin Island Dentist Today!

Embrace the importance of oral hygiene with us at VI Dental Center, your trusted dental care provider in the Virgin Islands. Our comprehensive approach to dental health ensures you receive the care and education needed to maintain a healthy smile. Whether you need cosmetic treatment, wisdom tooth removal, a root canal, orthodontics, or anything in between, VI Dental wants to serve you.

Our mission over the last 15 years has been to serve families in the Virgin Islands with the incredible experience they truly deserve. Please feel free to contact us at your convenience, reach out to our St. Thomas location at (340) 776-6056, our St. Croix office at 340-772-6000, or simply complete our contact form. Let us be your partner in achieving a brighter, healthier smile.

Get Seen By A Virgin Island Dentist Today!

VI Dental Center is the step towards a beautiful, healthy smile. We can’t wait to meet you!

Our mission over the last 15 years has been to serve families in the Virgin Islands with the incredible experience they truly deserve. Whether you need cosmetic treatment, wisdom tooth removal, a root canal, Orthodontics, or anything in between, VI Dental wants to serve you. We’re your Virgin Islands Dentist!
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