Tooth Care

Tooth Brushing Techniques

Brushing your teeth is very important to do. You must brush your teeth at least twice every day so you won't get cavities or gum diseases. Everybody knows this, but do you know the correct way to brush your teeth?

• Use the proper toothbrush. It should have soft nylon bristles and a small head. Soft bristles are gentler on your gums and will flex more easily to reach between the teeth while a small head allows you to reach all areas of your mouth.

• Wet your toothbrush slightly. By doing this, your gums will not be torn by the sharp bristles of the toothbrush.

• Squeeze a pea-size amount of toothpaste onto your toothbrush. Your toothpaste should contain fluoride and be recognized by your local dental association.

• Start on the inside of the lower front teeth, with the handle parallel to the row of teeth, just as you would to brush the outside of the same teeth. The concentrated "pea of toothpaste" will work harder at retarding the tartar that tends to accumulate here first.

• Tilt your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to your gums and wiggle the brush on the bristle tips, working on just two teeth at a time, for 5-10 seconds. Clean the outside and inside surfaces of the teeth, as well as the chewing or "horizontal" surfaces.

• Brush (wiggle) along the gum line. This is extremely important, as gum disease starts here. Brush gently to avoid damaging your gums. Pressing harder does more damage than good. Make sure to get behind the molars at the back, where bacteria like to hide.

• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria that cause bad breath.

• Rinse your mouth out with water.

• Floss after brushing. This helps get rid of bacteria and plaque between your teeth that you could not reach with your toothbrush.

Flossing Techniques

Flossing daily removes plaque and other debris that brushing alone does not reach. By flossing your teeth daily, you increase the chances of keeping your teeth for a lifetime and reduce your risk of developing gum problems. 

• Wash your hands before after flossing.

• Start with floss that has "grab" to it. Anything that doesn't shred also doesn't take the plaque off the teeth. Good old fashioned "name brand" waxed or unwaxed is best.

• Wrap the ends of an 18-inch to 24-inch section of floss around your middle fingers.

• Hold the floss between your thumbs and forefingers of both hands.

• Use your thumbs to floss your upper teeth. Use your index finger to floss your bottom teeth.

• Gently work the floss in between your teeth.

• When you reach the gum line, curve into a "C" shape around the tooth, making sure to go below the gum line.

• Gently glide the floss up and down several times between each tooth, including the back sides of your back teeth.

• Pull the floss against the tooth while flossing.

• Unwind new floss from one hand to the other as you go, so that you are flossing with a fresh piece of floss.

Remember to brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss daily, use an oral rinse, eat a well balanced diet and visit your dentist for regular check ups.  These are the best steps to good oral hygiene.