This combined procedure's primary purpose is to educate and train the patient with a hands-on approach in order to develop excellent oral hygiene skills for a better controlling the cause of periodontal disease (bacterial plaque). A prophylaxis (regular dental cleaning and polishing) is done simultaneously to remove deposits of plaque, calculus, stain from the surfaces of the teeth that are above the gum to facilitate development of better home care techniques.

1. Wind 18" of floss around your two middle fingers.

2. Gently guide the floss between teeth.

3. To remove plaque and debris, gently move the floss up and down against the tooth.

4. As you move from tooth to tooth, use a fresh section of floss each time.

1. For thorough but gentle cleansing, use a soft toothbrush

4. Inside back teeth. Use short, angled brush strokes.

2. Hold your brush at a 45° angel. Begin by brushing the outside of the front teeth. Use a gentle back-and-forth motion.

5. Inside front teeth. Tilt the brush vertically; use an up-and-down motion.

3. Next, brush the outside back teeth, starting along the gumline.

6. Chewing surfaces. Hold the brush flat. Use a gentle scrubbing motion.