Taking Care of Your Teeth
The proper way to brush and floss
Preventive dental care is important throughout your life, no matter what your age is. By practicing good oral hygiene at home and scheduling regular checkups with your dentist, you can help keep your smile bright and healthy for many years to come.
Here are a few simple ways you can prevent the build-up of plaque and cavities:
Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Use fluoride toothpaste to remove food particles and plaque from the tooth surfaces. Also be sure to brush the top surface of your tongue; this will remove any extra plaque causing food particles, and help keep your breath fresh!
Use a tongue scraper three times a day. It is designed to clean the bacterial build-up, food debris, fungi, and dead cells from the surface of your tongue. The bacteria and fungi that grow on the tongue are related to many common oral care and general health problems. In addition, decaying bacteria on the rear of the tongue produce molecules that account for 80 to 95 percent of all cases of halitosis (bad breath).
Clean between your teeth by flossing at least once a day. You can also use a mouthwash to help kill bacteria and freshen your breath. Decay-causing bacteria can linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. Floss and mouthwash will help remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line. Also be sure to floss behind the back of the very back teeth.
Brushing instructions
Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gum.
Brush gently in a circular motion.
Brush the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of each tooth.
Use the tip of your brush for the inner surface of your front teeth.
Flossing instructions
Wind about 18 inches of floss around your fingers as shown. Most of it should be wrapped around one finger, and the other finger takes it up as the floss is used.
Use your thumbs and forefingers to guide about one inch of floss between your teeth.
Holding the floss tightly, gently saw it between your teeth. Then curve the floss into a C-shape against one tooth and gently slide it beneath your gums.
Slide the floss up and down, repeating for each tooth.