Brushing your teeth at least twice daily helps prevent tooth decay and gum
disease, the major causes of tooth loss. Use a soft-bristle brush remove plaque
and food particles. Replace your brush every two to three months
disease, the major causes of tooth loss. Use a soft-bristle brush remove plaque
and food particles. Replace your brush every two to three months
On outer and inner surfaces, brush at a
45-degree angle in short, half-tooth-wide
strokes against the gumline.
45-degree angle in short, half-tooth-wide
strokes against the gumline.
On chewing surfaces, hold the brush
flat and brush back and forth.
flat and brush back and forth.
Brush your tongue in a back-to-front
sweeping motion to remove food
particles and freshen your mouth.
sweeping motion to remove food
particles and freshen your mouth.
On inside surfaces of front teeth, tilt
brush vertically and use gentle
up-and-down strokes with toe of brush.
brush vertically and use gentle
up-and-down strokes with toe of brush.
| Proper Flossing Flossing daily removes plaque and food particles between teeth and below the gumline. You may experience sore or bleeding gums for the first several days you floss. If bleeding continues after the first week of flossing, call your dentist. If you are having trouble handling floss, you can ask about the use of a floss holder or other types of interdental cleaning aids |
Hug the floss around one tooth, and then the other.
Push the floss all the way under the gumline, and
scale up and down.
Push the floss all the way under the gumline, and
scale up and down.
Use a piece of floss about 18 in. long. Wrap
it around your middle fingers, using your
index fingers and thumbs to guide the floss.
it around your middle fingers, using your
index fingers and thumbs to guide the floss.
| Brushing and Hygiene Techniques |