Dental Care: Brushing and Flossing Your Teeth

Overview

Your teeth can last a lifetime if you practice basic dental care. Brush and floss each day and eat a healthy diet. See your dentist or dental hygienist for regular checkups and cleanings. Good dental health habits are the best way to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

How to brush and floss your teeth

Brush your teeth 2 times a day, and use a toothbrush with soft bristles. Follow these tips when you brush your teeth.

• Place the brush at a 45-degree angle where the teeth meet the gums.
• Press firmly, and gently rock the brush back and forth using small circular movements.

  Don't scrub. Vigorous brushing can make the gums pull away from the teeth and can scratch your tooth enamel.

• Brush all surfaces of the teeth, tongue-side and cheek-side.

  Pay special attention to the front teeth and all surfaces of the back teeth.

• Brush chewing surfaces vigorously with short back-and-forth strokes.
• Consider brushing your tongue.

  Some people think it makes their mouth feel more fresh, but there is no evidence that it will help with bad breath.

• Use a fluoride toothpaste.

  Some fluoride toothpastes also offer tartar control, which may help slow the formation of hard mineral buildup (tartar) on the teeth.

• Use disclosing tablets every now and then to see whether any plaque remains on the teeth.

  Disclosing tablets are chewable and will color any plaque left on the teeth after you brush. You can buy them at most drugstores.

Floss at least one time a day. Choose the type and flavor of floss that you like best. When you floss your teeth, use either of these methods.

With either method, follow these steps for flossing.

1. Gently work the floss between the teeth toward the gums.
2. Curve the floss around each tooth into a U-shape and gently slide it under the gum line.
3. Move the floss firmly up and down several times to scrape off the plaque. Popping the floss in and out between the teeth without scraping won't remove much plaque. And it can hurt your gums.

A plastic flossing tool makes flossing easier. Child-size flossing tools are available for parents to use to floss their children's teeth. You can buy them at most drugstores.

If your gums bleed when you floss, the bleeding should stop over time as your gums get healthier and tighter next to your teeth.