Brushing and flossing is the cornerstone of good oral health. Your home habits determine the health of your gums and teeth throughout your lifetime. By following the American Dental Association recommendation of brushing twice daily and flossing once daily, you are taking the best steps toward lifelong oral health.
Simply skimming the toothbrush along the surfaces of your teeth is not enough. A thorough job of brushing and flossing is essential. Here are some tips to help:
- Select a toothbrush that is soft-bristled and fits into your mouth easily.
- Angle the bristles toward your gums where plaque collects.
- Brush every surface of your teeth – tongue side, cheek side, chewing surface, and behind your back teeth.
- Brush for at least two minutes with gentle pressure. It’s the tips of the bristles that do the work. There is no need to press hard. Doing so can damage your gums.
- When flossing, gently move the floss up and down each surface of your tooth on either side of your papilla, the v-shaped tissue between your teeth.
- Move the floss as you go, giving yourself clean, unfrayed floss to work with.
- Use the right floss for you – dental tape for closely crowded teeth or woven floss for widely spaced teeth. Most people find that waxed floss is easier to move between teeth.
You do not need an electric toothbrush to do a great job of brushing, as long as you follow the guidelines. For some people with dexterity issues, an electric toothbrush can be a great way to make sure you reach every surface of your teeth.