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 and
an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste to remove plaque and food particles. You
should replace your brush when it begins to show wear or every three months,
whichever comes first. Some researchers have discovered that toothbrushes
can be a source of reinfection after you've had a cold so replace your brush
after you have one.
On outer and inner surfaces, brush at a 45-degree angle in short, half-tooth-wide
strokes against the gumline.
On chewing surfaces, hold the brush flat and brush back and forth.
On inside surfaces of front teeth, tilt brush vertically and use gentle
up-and-down strokes with toe of brush.
Brush your tongue in a back-to-front sweeping motion to remove food
particles and freshen your mouth.
Flossing
Flossing daily removes plaque and food particles between teeth and below the
gumline.
Wrap an 18-inch strand around your middle fingers and hold a one-inch
section tightly.
Ease floss between your teeth. Clean up and down several times while
curving around teeth at the gumline. Don't scrub.
Always floss behind the last tooth. Unwind clean floss as you proceed.
Floss around the abutment teeth of a bridge and under artificial teeth
using a floss threader.
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.
