Brushing and Flossing Tips

When it comes to cleaning your teeth, here are tips to help you maintain great oral hygiene.

Brushing:

1. Position your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.
2. Move the toothbrush back and forth in gentle, short strokes.
3. Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces.
4. Use the tip of the toothbrush to clean the inside surfaces of your front teeth, using gentle strokes in an up and down motion.
5. Don’t forget to brush your tongue; this will remove bacteria and will help make your breath fresh.

Flossing:

1. Use about 18 inches of floss, wound around the middle fingers of each hand. Hold the floss between your thumbs and forefingers.
2. Using a gentle rubbing motion, guide the floss between your teeth.
3. Once the floss reaches your gum line, create a C-shape against one tooth and gently slide the floss into the space between the gum and tooth.
4. Move the floss back toward the contact point between the teeth, then floss up or down the other side, confirming the floss to the shape of the tooth.
5. Hold the floss against the tooth and gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up and down movements.
6. Repeat on the rest of your teeth.