What is Good Oral Hygiene

What is Good Oral Hygiene?

Good oral hygiene results in a mouth that looks and smells
healthy. This means:
Your teeth are clean and free of debris
Gums are pink and do not hurt or bleed when
youbrush or floss
Bad breath is not a constant problem
If your gums do hurt or bleed while brushing or flossing, or
you are experiencing persistent bad breath, see your
dentist. Any of these conditions may indicate a problem.

Your dentist or hygienist can help you learn good oral
hygiene techniques and can help point out areas of your
mouth that may require extra attention during brushing
and flossing.
How is Good Oral Hygiene Practiced?
Maintaining good oral hygiene is one of the most important
things you can do for your teeth and gums. Healthy teeth
not only enable you to look and feel good, they make it
possible to eat and speak properly. Good oral health is
important to your overall well-being.

Daily preventive care, including proper brushing and
flossing, will help stop problems before they develop and is
much less painful, expensive, and worrisome than treating
conditions that have been allowed to progress.

In between regular visits to the dentist, there are simple
steps that each of us can take to greatly decrease the risk
of developing tooth decay, gum disease and other dental
problems. These include:
Brushing thoroughly twice a day and flossing daily
Eating a balanced diet and limiting snacks between meals
Using dental products that contain fluoride, including
toothpaste
Rinsing with a fluoride mouthrinse if your dentist tells you
to
Making sure that your children under 12 drink fluoridated
water or take a fluoride supplement if they live in a non-
fluoridated area.
Click here for information on Colgate Toothpaste.
Click here for information on Colgate Toothbrushes.
Click here for information on Colgate Fluoride Mouth
Rinses.

Proper Brushing Technique

Tilt the
brush at a
45 angle
against
the
gumline
and sweep
or roll the
brush
away from
the
Gently
brush the
outside,
inside and
chewing
surface of
each tooth
using
short
back-and-
forth
Gently
brush
your
tongue to
remove
bacteria
and
freshen
breath.
gumline. strokes.
Proper Flossing Technique

Use about
18" of
floss,
leaving an
inch or
two to
work with.
Gently
follow the
curves of
your
teeth.
Be sure to
clean
beneath
the
gumline,
but avoid
snapping
the floss
on the
gums.

http://www.colgate.com/app/Colgate/US/OC/Information/OralHealthBasics/GoodOralHygiene/OralHyg
ieneBasics/WhatisGoodOralHygiene.cvsp
How to Take Care of Your
Teeth
originated by:Anonymous, Krystle C., Jack Herrick, Zugbop (see all)
Article EditDiscussView History

Strong healthy looking teeth!
Strong, healthy teeth help you look best. If you don't take care
of your teeth, it won't be long before cavities and unhealthy
gums make your mouth very, very sore. Eating meals will be
difficult. You won't feel like smiling much either. Take care of
your teeth before all of them fall out.
editSteps
1. 1
Before we begin, there are two essentials to keep in mind
about brushing:
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o First: Each tooth has five distinct sides; a toothbrush cleans
only 3 of those 5 sides. The other two sides are where much
of the destruction and disease (not to mention foul odors)
originate: the in between areas. These remaining two sides
require dental floss or tiny interdental brushes that can reach
in between and under the contact points of the teeth. Gum
disease is linked to life-threatening illnesses such as heart
disease, stroke, diabetes, and premature low birth weight
babies.
o Second: It's not the toothpaste that "cleans" your teeth -- it's
the mechanical action of the bristles in physical contact with
the tooth surface that removes plaque (a living biofilm teeming
with microorganisms that cause disease). You can do a
magnificent job brushing your teeth using a dry brush and
rinsing with water (although your teeth will not have the
benefit of fluoride). So spend time moving the bristles - at and
below the gumline - where it is most important to clean. You
will have a better idea of what you're doing if you use a dry
bristle brush. A minimum of two minutes with the brush is
needed for effective cleaning. The toothpaste can go on after
those two minutes, and you can have the advantage of
fluoride, whitening, stain removal or whatever work better for
you because it's applied to a nice clean surface.
2. 2
NOW - on to the particulars:
3. 3
Be sure your toothbrush has very soft bristles (the
package will tell you if they're soft). Remember that you'll
need a new toothbrush every 3 months. Some toothbrushes
come with bristles that change color when it's time to replace
them. Don't worry about those whiz-bang toothbrushes --
cheap works just fine, as long as the bristles are soft, they are
good!
4. 4
Buy toothpaste that contains fluoride, which makes your
teeth strong and protects them from cavities.
5. 5
Understand that when you brush, you don't need a lot of
toothpaste; just squeeze out a bit the size of a pea.
6. 6
Brush at least twice a day: in the morning, after breakfast,
you will tend to be in a hurry, so do a THOROUGH job in the
evening, taking the time to use floss and interdental brushes
for those important between-the-teeth areas. This
comprehensive cleaning has to be done at least once in a 24
hour period to prevent future problems with gum disease. It is
best to do this before you go to bed because your mouth does
not have the same salivary protection when you are sleeping
as it does during the day.
7. 7
If you can, brush after lunch. Brushing during the day will
reduce the damage caused by plaque byproducts and toxins.
8. 8
Brush all of your teeth, and ALL SIDES of your teeth - -
not just the front ones that show when you smile! Spend
extra time on the back teeth along the gum line holding the
bristles at a 45 degree angle pointing toward the gums.
9. 9
Learn how to floss your teeth, which is the ONLY way to
clean those all-important 'OTHER' 2 sides of the teeth,
and the only way to assure yourself that you are doing
what is necessary to prevent gum disease.
10. 10
Find a fluoride mouthwash. A fluoride mouthwash is an
excellent idea as it further helps to strengthen tooth enamel.
Teach children between the age of 6 and 12 good rinsing
skills to prevent swallowing. Rinse with the rinse once a day
after brushing and do not eat or drink for 30 minutes
11. 11
Use a tongue scraper! A tongue scraper is an important part
of oral hygiene that will also work wonders with stale, smelly
breath. Use it to remove the plaque on your tongue, which will
freshen breath and presumably slow down the accumulation
of plaque on your teeth. You should also use your toothbrush
to clean your tongue - then follow with the scraper.
12. 12
Use mouth wash. Follow directions on bottle.
13. 13
Be careful about what you eat and drink. Sugar feeds the
bacteria in your mouth, which then excrete substances that
break down tooth enamel. Eat lots of vegetables, and drink
water instead of soda or juice.
14. 14
Visit the dentist twice a year and have a professional
cleaning with a Registered Dental Hygienist. Be an
"informed health care consumer" and pay attention to what is
going on. Ask your dental hygienist what your probings are at
each visit! (They should be between 1 mm and 3 mm deep.)
15. 15
Most important: In addition to checking for signs of cavities
or gum disease, the dentist and dental hygienist can give you
feedback about how effective your plaque removal at home is,
and more importantly help you learn the best way to brush
and floss. You need to know how to prevent problems by
having your skills evaluated. If you are not effective with
flossing and brushing technique, you are only wasting your
time while leaving the door open for infection and disease.
How many times a day you brush & floss, or how long you
spend brushing are all SECONDARY to your degree of skill
using them. It all boils down to whether or not you can
effectively reach and remove the adherent biofilm surrounding
every one of your teeth, at and below the gumline. Ask your
dental hygienist to watch your technique and work with you!
That's what we're there for!
16. 16
Try and cut down on sweets and foods that contain
sugar. They harm and damage your teeth.
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editTips
Everyone has millions of bacteria living in their mouths that
have one goal: find a hard surface to stick to and grow into a
community. This happens rapidly and automatically, whether
we know it or not, 24/7 and 365. It cannot be avoided because
our bacteria are part of us and present whether we like it or
not. Once they attach themselves to a tooth surface, they
form what we call "plaque" - the invisible film that coats your
teeth. You have probably felt this 'fuzzy sweater' feeling on
your teeth when you wake up in the morning and run your
tongue along the outside of the upper back teeth next to your
cheek. TAKING CARE of your teeth involves disrupting the
plaque by means of physical contact with dental floss and
toothbrush bristles.
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Recent research has focused heavily on plaque due to its
direct link to systemic illness. We now call plaque "BIOFILM"
because it is much more sophisticated and dangerous than
we once believed it to be.
Biofilm contains millions of bacteria clumped together,
growing rapidly, reproducing and excreting dangerous waste
products.
These bacteria ingest carbohydrates (sugars) and convert
them into acids that eat away at tooth enamel, causing small
holes called cavities.
Plaque - or biofilm - also causes gingivitis, which leads to
periodontitis (destructive gum disease that has reached the
bone supporting your teeth).
Some forms of gingivitis can cause your gums to be red,
swollen, tender, and bleed when you brush.
However in periodontitis your gums may not hurt or bleed at
all; this is especially true if you smoke because smoking
strangles the fine terminal capillaries in the oral cavity (and
elsewhere for that matter - - this is what causes wrinkles &
premature aging in the skin of smokers).
So, unless detected by a dentist or dental hygienist using a
probe to carefully measure all the spaces between the teeth
and gums, the disease can progress to an advanced stage
without any warning signs.
Periodontitis will not be painful until the teeth start to become
loose because so much of the bone has been destroyed that
there is no support left.
Use a thorough, effective technique with a slow circular
motion aimed AT and BELOW the gumline, inside and out,
top and bottom. Brushing too hard may abrade your gums or
cause them to recede and/or bleed, while brushing too soft
will do nothing to get rid of plaque/biofilm.
Floss your teeth before brushing. This is so that plaque from
the outside and inside surfaces of the teeth gets dislodged too
be killed when you brush.
Many heart-attack patients also have periodontitis (gum
disease that has progressed to the bone). A peer-reviewed
scientific study found a direct correlation between the amount
of plaque on the teeth and the amount of plaque in the
arteries. In fact, specific bugs found in atheromas of heart
disease patients are the same bugs that are present in
diseased periodontal pockets. These correlations are closely
tied to inflammation, so do what you can to prevent it with
careful, skilled brushing and flossing.
Aim the bristles toward the gumline and brush the insides and
outsides of your teeth in a small circular motion.
Use a linear motion to brush the top sides of your teeth
(chewing surfaces).
When brushing the back sides of your front teeth, hold the
toothbrush upright (vertical) and move it up and down along
each individual tooth - both lower and upper arches. Repeat
several times for each tooth.
Use mouth wash after brushing.
Chewing gum between meals, especially if the gum is
sweetened with xylitol, helps keep your mouth moist, and your
teeth cleaner, both of which are good for your teeth.
Get into the habit of drinking with a straw, as this directs the
(possibly sugary) drink away from your teeth.
If you, smoke the odds of you avoiding gum infection and
bone loss are slim to none. See www.nidcr.nih.gov and
www.perio.org for more information on smoking and gum
disease.
Don't forget to brush the back of your tongue and the upper
palate of your mouth.
When you use mouthwash, use as directed on the bottle, read
all instructions BEFORE using the product.
New prescription toothpastes are now available that can
actually reverse early lesions (cavities) by remineralization
and also bring added protection to those areas on the verge
of breaking down. Ask your dentist or dental hygienist about
these products... they are a major breakthrough in preventing
decay!
Bulimia can WREAK HAVOC on your teeth causing
irreversible damage from the strong acid in your stomach that
comes back up into the mouth while regurgitating. When you
have a check up at the dentist, this destruction is clearly
visible to us. It can be somewhat uncomfortable to raise the
topic with our patients but the damage they are doing to
themselves is so severe and serious that we need to bring it
to their attention and (hopefully!) intervene before teeth are
destroyed beyond any possible repair. Purging is an act of
self-destruction on many levels, but what happens to the teeth
is unthinkable. So get some psychological help with this
eating disorder before it is too late!
editWarnings
Don't swallow toothpaste. Be sure to rinse and spit after
brushing.
Less is more. Don't floss, brush teeth, or scrape tongue too
roughly. Over-brushing or rough flossing can cause gums to
recede.
Some toothpastes are not recommended to be used daily if
they are too strong - check the label of your toothpaste for
details.
Never brush your teeth right after a big meal. Wait about a
half an hour and then go. Otherwise, you could damage your
enamel!
Make sure to brush and floss. And no, brushing real hard
won't replace flossing.
Don't swallow mouth wash.
editThings You'll Need
Toothpaste
A good quality toothbrush, electric or manual, (soft bristled).
Dental floss
Tongue cleaner(Can use your toothbrush).
Sugar free chewing gum (for use during and after meals), can
even use whitening gum!
Mouth wash (It can help restore some enamel). If you have
weak enamel use pronamal toothpaste.
editRelated wikiHows
How to Be a Normal Good Looking Girl from Inside and
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How to Floss
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http://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-Your-Teeth

Maintaining Good Dental
Care Habits
Your dentist is only a partner in your dental
health. You need to do your part at home to
keep periodontal disease at bay.
By Clare Kittredge
Medically reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH
Print Email
Taking care of your teeth at home can help you maintain
your dental health and preventperiodontal, or gum,
disease from developing.
Richard H. Price, DMD, spokesperson for the American
Dental Association and a former clinical instructor at the
Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental
Medicine, says regular home care should include daily
brushing and flossing.
My advice is to brush thoroughly, at least twice a day,
once in the morning and once in the evening before
going to bed, says Dr. Price. Be sure to floss at least
once a day. I do it after every meal when I can.
Proper dental care at home, combined with seeing your
dentist regularly, is your ticket to good dental health,
says Price, who is retired from a 35-year private group
dental practice in Newton, Mass.
Dental Health at Home
Use products that have the ADA (American Dental
Association) seal," says Price. "This means that the
products toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, etc. are safe
to use as directed and will keep your mouth healthy
no gum disease, no cavities."
Here are some basic principles to follow:
Spend at least three minutes brushing your teeth two
times a day. Use a timer if you have to to ensure that
you're spending enough time on your oral care
routine.
Use floss at least once a day every day to clean
between your teeth.
Buy ADA-approved dental cleaning tools and
toothpaste.
Basically, brush and floss, and do it correctly, says
Price.
The goal of regular home care is to combat the buildup
of plaque in and around your teeth and gums, and
fight bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease. Adults
who neglect their teeth and who let plaque build up often
develop infections in the delicate tissue around their
teeth, Price explains.
A whole arsenal of dental health tools is available in
drugstores to help you clean your teeth at home. These
range from regular toothbrushes to power toothbrushes,
inter-dental cleaners (picks, etc.), waxed and unwaxed
floss, oral irrigators, and mouth rinses. You should ask
your dentist which of these tools you might want to
include in your daily cleaning routine.
Consequences of Poor Oral Hygiene
Poor oral hygiene invites plaque to accumulate around
the base of your teeth and gum line, causing your gums
to become red and inflamed.
"Plaque is the bacteria-laden film that, if allowed to
accumulate on teeth and gums, will cause tooth decay
and gum disease," Price explains.
If you neglect the care of your teeth at home and fail to
go to the dentist regularly, accumulated plaque could
potentially lead to the development of empty spaces
around your teeth. These spaces could eventually lead
to the destruction of bone and other fragile tissues
supporting your teeth, and you could lose your teeth.
The good news is that being diligent about your dental
health care and getting regular dental checkups can
prevent plaque from forming and even reverse early gum
disease. "A plaque-free mouth is a healthy mouth, says
Price. Along with regular dental checkups, proper
bushing and flossing are the only effective ways I know
of preventing plaque buildup.
This section created and produced exclusively by the editorial staff of
EverydayHealth.com. 2010 EverydayHealth.com; all rights reserved.
Articles in Basics
Beyond Teeth: What's Inside Your Mouth
The Four Types of Teeth and How They Function
Choosing a Toothbrush: Manual vs. Electric
Maintaining Good Dental Care Habits
The Link Between Oral Hygiene and Overall Health
Toothbrush Tips to Keep Your Teeth in Shape
A Guide to Flossing Your Teeth
Tobacco Use and Your Oral Health
Choosing a Mouth Rinse That's Right for You
A Guide to Nighttime Oral Care
7 Steps to a Better Smile
Toothpaste 101
Do Ergonomic Toothbrushes Clean Teeth Better?
Your Dental Health Glossary
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http://www.everydayhealth.com/dental-health/101/taking-care-of-your-teeth-at-home.aspx
Taking Care of Your Teeth
Teeth For A Lifetime
Thanks to better at-home care and in-office dental treatments,
more people than ever before are keeping their teeth
throughout their lives. Although some diseases and conditions
can make dental disease and tooth loss more likely, most of us
have a good deal of control over whether we keep our teeth
into old age.
The most important thing you can do to maintain good oral
health is to brush and floss your teeth regularly.
Most mouth woes are caused by plaque, that sticky layer of
microorganisms, food particles and other organic matter that
forms on your teeth. Bacteria in plaque produce acids that
cause cavities. Plaque also leads to periodontal (gum) disease,
a potentially serious infection that can erode bone and destroy
the tissues surrounding teeth.
The best defense is to remove plaque daily before it has a
chance to build up and cause problems. Brushing removes
plaque from the large surfaces of the teeth and, if done
correctly, from just under the gums. Flossing removes plaque
between teeth.
Brushing
Most of us learned to brush our teeth when we were children
and have kept the same technique throughout our lives.
Unfortunately, many of us learned the wrong way. Even if we
learned the correct method, it's easy to become sloppy over
the years. Brushing correctly isn't instinctive. Getting the
bristles to remove plaque without damaging your gums is a
little trickier than you might think.
There are different ways to brush teeth, and your dentist or
dental hygienist can show you the method that he or she feels
would be best for you. The modified Bass technique is among
the most popular for adults and is very effective in removing
plaque above and just below the gum line. Children, however,
may find it difficult to move the toothbrush this way. A dentist
or dental hygienist can explain to your child the best way to
brush. Parents should supervise their children's oral hygiene
until age 9 or 10.
Here are a few general pointers about brushing:
Brush at least twice a day many oral-health-care
professionals recommend brushing just before going to bed.
When you sleep, saliva decreases, leaving the teeth more
vulnerable to bacterial acids. Teeth should also be brushed in
the morning, either before or after breakfast, depending on
your schedule. After breakfast is ideal so food particles are
removed. But if you eat in your car, at work or skip breakfast
entirely, make sure you brush in the morning to get rid of the
plaque that built up overnight.
Brush no more than three times a day brushing after lunch
will give you a good mid-day cleaning. Remember, though,
that brushing too often can cause gums to recede over time.
Brush lightly brushing too hard can cause gums to recede.
Plaque attaches to teeth rather like jam sticks to a wooden
spoon. It can't be totally removed by rinsing, but just a light
brushing will do the trick. Once plaque has hardened into
calculus (tartar), brushing can't remove it, so brushing harder
won't help. Try holding your toothbrush the same way you
hold a pen. This encourages a lighter stroke.
Brush for at least two minutes set a timer if you have to,
but don't skimp on brushing time. Longer is fine, but two
minutes is the minimum time needed to adequately clean all
your teeth. Many people brush for the length of a song on the
radio. That acts as a good reminder to brush each tooth
thoroughly.
Have a standard routine for brushing try to brush your
teeth in the same order every day. Some oral health-care
professionals feel that this helps patients remember to brush
all areas of their mouths. If you do this routinely, it eventually
will become second nature. For example, brush the outer sides
of your teeth from left to right across the top then move to the
inside and brush rights to left. Repeat the pattern for your
lower teeth.
Always use a toothbrush with "soft" or "extra soft" bristles
the harder the brush, the greater the risk of harming gum
tissue.
Change your toothbrush regularly as soon as the bristles
begin to splay, the toothbrush loses its ability to clean
properly. Throw away your old toothbrush after three months
or when the bristles flare, whichever comes first. If you find
your bristles flaring much sooner than three months, you may
be brushing too hard. Try easing up.
Choose a brush that has a seal of approval by the American
Dental Association oral health-care professionals say, "It's
not the brush, it's the brusher," meaning that the exact type
of brush you use isn't nearly as important as your brushing
technique and diligence. Any approved brush will be a good
tool, but you have to know how to use it.
Electric is fine, but not always necessary electric or power-
assisted toothbrushes are a fine alternative to manual
brushes. They are especially useful for people who are less
than diligent about proper brushing technique or for people
with physical limitations that make brushing difficult. As with
manual brushes, choose soft bristles, brush for at least two
minutes and don't press too hard or you'll damage your gums.
Choose the right toothpaste for you it can be overwhelming
to face the huge number of toothpaste choices in the average
supermarket. Remember, the best toothpaste for you may not
be the best toothpaste for someone else.
Ask your dental hygienist or dentist what the greatest concerns
are for your mouth. Toothpastes don't merely clean teeth
anymore. Different types have special ingredients for plaque
control, tartar control, whitening, gum care or desensitizing
teeth. People who tend to build up tartar quickly may want to
use a tartar-control toothpaste, whereas someone who gets
tooth stains may want a whitening toothpaste. Whitening
toothpastes will remove only surface stains, such as those
caused by smoking, tea or coffee. To whiten teeth that are
stained at a deeper level, talk with your dentist. Your needs will
likely change as you get older, so don't be surprised if your
hygienist recommends a type of toothpaste you haven't used
before. Look for the ADA seal of approval, which assures that
the toothpaste has met the standards set by the American
Dental Association. Once these conditions are met, choose the
toothpaste that tastes and feels best. Gel or paste, wintergreen
or spearmint these work alike, so let personal preference
guide your decision. Some people find certain ingredients
irritating to teeth, cheeks or lips. If you find that your teeth
have become more sensitive or that your mouth is irritated
after brushing, try changing toothpastes. If the problem
continues, see your dentist.
How To Brush
Modified Bass brushing technique:
Hold the head of the toothbrush horizontally against your
teeth with the bristles part way on the gums
Tilt the brush head to about a 45-degree angle, so the bristles
are pointing under the gum line
Move the toothbrush in very short horizontal strokes so the
tips of the bristles stay in one place, but the head of the brush
waggles back and forth. Or use tiny circular motions. This
allows the bristles to slide gently under the gum. Do this for
about 20 strokes. This assures that adequate time will be
spent cleaning away as much plaque as possible. Note: this is
a very gentle motion. In healthy gums, this should cause no
pain. Brushing too vigorously or with large strokes can
damage gum tissue
Roll or flick the brush so that the bristles move out from under
the gum toward the biting edge of the tooth. This helps move
the plaque out from under the gum line
Repeat for every tooth, so that all tooth surfaces and gum
lines are cleaned
For the insides of your front teeth, where the horizontal brush
position is cumbersome, hold the brush vertically instead.
Again, use gentle back and forth brushing action and finish
with a roll or flick of the brush toward the biting edge
To clean the biting or chewing surfaces of the teeth, hold the
brush so the bristles are straight down on the flat surface of
the molars
Gently move the brush back and forth or in tiny circles to
clean the entire surface. Move to a new tooth or area until all
teeth are cleaned
Rinse with water to clear the mouth of food residue and
removed plaque
You can clear even more bacteria out of your mouth by
brushing your tongue. With your toothbrush, brush firmly but
gently from back to front. Do not go so far back in your mouth
that you gag. Rinse again
Flossing
Many people never learned to floss as children. But flossing is
critical to healthy gums and it's never too late to start. A
common rule of thumb says that any difficult new habit
becomes second nature after only three weeks. If you have
difficulty figuring out what to do, ask your dentist or dental
hygienist to give you a personal lesson.
Here are a few general pointers about flossing:
Floss once a day although there is no research to
recommend an optimum number of times to floss, most
dentists recommend a thorough flossing at least once a day. If
you tend to get food trapped between teeth, flossing more
often can help remove it
Take your time flossing requires a certain amount of
dexterity and thought. Don't rush
Choose your own time although most people find that just
before bed is an ideal time, many oral-health-care
professionals recommend flossing any time that is most
convenient to assure that you will continue to floss regularly.
Choose a time during the day when you can floss without
haste
Don't skimp on the floss use as much as you need to clean
both sides of every tooth with a fresh section of floss. In fact,
you may need to floss one tooth several times (using fresh
sections of floss) to remove all the food debris. Although there
has been no research, some professionals think reusing
sections of floss may redistribute bacteria pulled off one tooth
onto another tooth
Choose the type that works best for you there are many
different types of floss: waxed and unwaxed, flavored and
unflavored, ribbon and thread. Try different varieties before
settling on one. People with teeth that are closely spaced will
find that waxed floss slides more easily into the tight space.
There are tougher shred-resistant varieties that work well for
people with rough edges that tend to catch and rip floss
How To Floss
How you hold the floss is a matter of personal preference. The
most common method is to wind the floss around the middle
fingers then pull it taut and guide it with your index fingers.
You also can wind it around your index fingers and guide it with
your thumb and middle fingers or simply hold the ends of the
floss or use a floss-guiding tool. (If you have a fixed bridge, a
bridge threader can help guide floss under the bridge for better
cleaning.) How you hold the thread is not as important as what
you do with it. If you can't settle in on a good method, ask
your dentist or hygienist for suggestions.
Hold the floss so that a short segment is ready to work with
Guide the floss gently between two teeth. If the fit is tight, use
a back-and-forth motion to work the floss through the narrow
spot. Do not snap the floss in or you could cut your gums
Hold the floss around the front and back of one tooth, making
it into a "C" shape. This will wrap the floss around the side
edge of that tooth
Gently move the floss toward the base of the tooth and up into
the space between the tooth and gum
Move the floss up and down with light to firm pressure to skim
off plaque in that area. Do not press so hard that you injure
the gum
Repeat for all sides of the tooth, including the outermost side
of the last tooth. Advance the floss to a clean segment for
each tooth edge
Other Ways To Clean Between The Teeth
Many people have larger spaces between their teeth and need
additional tools, called interdental cleaners, to remove food
particles and bacterial plaque adequately. You may have larger
spaces that need extra care if you have had gum surgery or if
you have teeth that are missing or out of alignment.
Small interdental brushes are tiny bristle or filament brushes
that can fit between teeth and come in a variety of sizes and
handle designs. These brushes clean better than floss when the
gum tissue does not completely fill the space between your
teeth. These little brushes also can help people with
orthodontic bands on their teeth to remove bacterial plaque
from around the wires and brackets.
Another tool for cleaning between teeth are wooden interdental
cleaners. These long, triangular strips of wood can be softened
and used to clean between teeth.
You can find these interdental cleaners at most drugstores and
grocery stores. Your dentist or dental hygienist can show you
how to use these cleaners to remove plaque between your
teeth.
Other Cleaning Tools
To supplement your at-home brushing and flossing, your
dentist or dental hygienist may suggest one or more of the
following:
Oral irrigators these electrical devices pump water out in a
slim steady or pulsating stream. Although they do not seem to
remove plaque that is attached to the tooth well, they are very
effective at flushing out food and bacteria byproducts in
periodontal pockets or that get caught in orthodontic
appliances. They are particularly useful for delivering
medication to hard-to-reach areas. For example, prescription
antibacterial rinses can be sprayed into gum pockets with an
oral irrigator. Irrigators should be used in addition to brushing
and flossing, not as an alternative.
Interdental tip these soft, flexible rubber nibs are used to
clean between the teeth and just below the gum line. Plaque
and food debris can be removed by gently running the tip
along the gum line.
Mouthwashes and rinses as with toothpaste, your choice of
mouthwashes or rinses will be guided by your personal mouth
care needs. Over-the-counter rinses are available to freshen
the breath, add fluoride or kill plaque bacteria that cause
gingivitis. Some mouthwashes are designed to help loosen
plaque before you brush. Ask your dentist or dental hygienist
to recommend the type of rinse that would be best for you. If
you need to avoid alcohol, read ingredient labels carefully.
Many over-the-counter mouthwashes contain significant
amounts of alcohol. In some cases, the dentist might prescribe
a stronger fluoride or antibacterial rinse.

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ygieneBasics/TakingCareTeeth.cvsp