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Brushing
Your Teeth:
 Keeping
your teeth and gums healthy takes a few moments each day following a
few basic steps. Once you develop this daily routine, stick with
it. Brush and floss every day to prevent tooth decay and remove
plaque from your teeth and gums. You can remove plaque by brushing
twice a day and flossing once a day. According to one study,
brushing your teeth first without toothpaste and then again with paste
reduces plaque by 67% and gum bleeding by 50%.
Flossing removes bacteria and food particles from in-between
teeth. It is recommended that you should visit your Dental
Hygienist for a professional cleaning at least twice a year to remove
tartar from places brushing and flossing may miss. Eat healthy
foods, drink plenty of water, and limit sweets.
Steps to Effective Brushing:
- Use a soft-bristled
brush that fits your mouth
- Use toothpaste with
fluoride to help protect your teeth from decay.
- Place the brush where the
gum meets the tooth, with the bristles at a 45-degree angle to your
teeth so they get under the gum line.
- Move the brush back and
forth in slow (tooth-wide) strokes. Be gentle; brushing can
actually injure the gums and make them more susceptible to periodontal
disease.
- Brush both the inner and
outer surfaces of the teeth and brush the broad chewing surfaces with
the entire brush.
- To clean the inner
surfaces of the front teeth, use the tip of the brush in gentle
up-and-down strokes.
- Brush for at least 2
minutes.
- Scrub your tongue for
about 30 seconds to remove even more bacteria.
- If you dry brush first,
follow the same brushing procedure for about a minute and a half
without paste, then brush again for another 2 minutes.
- Rinse the toothbrush
thoroughly.
- Change brushes every 3
months or so, when the bristles are bent or frayed, or after a cold or
illness.
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