Proper Toothbrushing and

Flossing
Group 3
Toothbrush
• Brush v. (brəSH)
• gerund or present participle: brushing 1.remove (dust or dirt) by sweeping or scrubbing.
"we'll be able to brush the mud off easily“ 2.touch lightly and gently. "stems of grass brush
against her legs“ synonyms:touch, stroke, caress, skim, sweep, graze, contact; kiss
Proper Way of Toothbrushing
Proper brushing takes at least two minutes — 120 seconds! Most adults do not come close to
brushing that long. To get a feel for the time involved, try using a stopwatch. To properly brush your
teeth, use short, gentle strokes, paying extra attention to the gumline, hard-to-reach back teeth and
areas around fillings, crowns or other restoration. Concentrate on thoroughly cleaning each section
as follows:
1. Clean the outer surfaces of your upper teeth, then your lower teeth.
2. Clean the inner surfaces of your upper teeth, then your lower teeth.
3. Clean the chewing surfaces. For fresher breath, be sure to brush your tongue, too.
Floss
Floss n. (flôs,fläs/)
• gerund or present participle: flossingclean between (one's teeth) with dental floss. "I flossed
my teeth"
What Type of Floss Should I Use?

There are two types of floss from which to choose. Nylon (or multifilament) flossPTFE
(monofilament) floss.
Nylon floss is available waxed and unwaxed, and in a variety of flavors. Because this type of floss
is composed of many strands of nylon, it may sometimes tear or shred, especially between teeth
with tight contact points. While more expensive, single filament (PTFE) floss slides easily between
teeth, even those with tight spaces between teeth, and is virtually shred-resistant. When used
properly, both types of floss are excellent at removing plaque and debris.
Proper Way of Using Floss
Proper flossing removes plaque and food particles in places where a toothbrush cannot easily reach
— under the gumline and between your teeth. Because plaque build-up can lead to tooth decay and gum
disease, daily flossing is highly recommended.To receive maximum benefits from flossing, use the
following proper technique:
1. Starting with about 18 inches of floss, wind most of the floss around each middle finger, leaving
an inch or two of floss to work with.
2. Holding the floss tautly between your thumbs and index fingers, slide it gently up-and-down
between your teeth.
3. Gently curve the floss around the base of each tooth, making sure you go beneath the gumline.
Never snap or force the floss, as this may cut or bruise delicate gum tissue.
4. Use clean sections of floss as you move from tooth to tooth.
5. To remove the floss, use the same back-and-forth motion to bring the floss up and away from the
teeth.
"Which should I do first, brush or floss?"
The sequence makes no difference as long as you do a thorough
job. Brushing and flossing is the best way to remove decay-causing
plaque from your teeth and help maintain optimal oral health.