Health Library Dental Care: Brushing and Flossing Your TeethFrom Healthwise

Your teeth can last a lifetime if you practice basic dental care, which involves brushing and flossing regularly, eating a mouth-healthy diet, and visiting your dentist and/or dental hygienist for regular checkups and cleanings. Developing good dental health habits is the best way to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

 What are good brushing and flossing?
 Why are brushing and flossing important?
 How to brush and floss your teeth
 Where can I learn more about good dental health?

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Good brushing and flossing are important parts of your dental care. To do these actions well, make them part of your daily routine and:

• Brush your teeth 2 times a day, in the morning and at night. When you brush, use a fluoride toothpaste approved by the American Dental Association. Some fluoride toothpastes also offer tartar control, which may help slow the formation of hard mineral buildup (tartar) on the teeth.
• Floss at least once a day.
• Use disclosing tablets periodically to see whether any plaque is left on the teeth. Disclosing tablets are chewable and will color any plaque left on the teeth after you brush. You can buy them at most drugstores.

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Regular brushing and flossing can help you:

• Prevent tooth decay and cavities. Tooth decay can lead to more serious problems, such as infection.
• Prevent gum (periodontal) disease, which can damage gum tissue and the bones that support the teeth, and can ultimately cause you to lose teeth.
• Make it possible that your teeth will last a lifetime.
• Shorten the time you spend with the dentist and hygienist and make the trip more pleasant.
• Save money. By preventing tooth decay and gum disease, you can reduce the need for fillings and other costly procedures.
• Prevent bad breath. Brushing and flossing rid your mouth of the bacteria that cause bad breath.
• Keep your teeth white by preventing staining from food, drinks, and tobacco.
• Improve your overall health.

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When you brush your teeth:

• Brush your teeth 2 times a day, in the morning and at night.
• Use a toothbrush with soft, rounded-end bristles and a head that is small enough to reach all parts of your teeth and mouth. Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months.
• You may also use an electric toothbrush that has the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval. Studies show that powered toothbrushes with a rotating and oscillating (back-and-forth) action are more effective than other toothbrushes, including other powered toothbrushes.¹
• Place the brush at a 45-degree angle where the teeth meet the gums. Press firmly, and gently rock the brush back and forth using small circular movements. Do not scrub. Vigorous brushing can make the gums pull away from the teeth and can scratch your tooth enamel.
• Brush all surfaces of the teeth, tongue-side and cheek-side. Pay special attention to the front teeth and all surfaces of the back teeth.
• Brush chewing surfaces vigorously with short back-and-forth strokes.
• Brush your tongue from back to front. Some people put some toothpaste or mouthwash on their toothbrush when they do this. Brushing your tongue helps remove plaque, which can cause bad breath and help bacteria grow. Some toothbrushes now have a specific brush to use for your tongue.

Floss at least once a day. The type of floss you use is not important. Choose the type and flavor you like best. When you floss your teeth, use any of the following methods:

• The finger wrap method: Cut off a piece of floss 18 in. (45.7 cm) to 20 in. (50.8 cm) long. Wrap one end around your left middle finger and the other end around your right middle finger, until your hands are about 2 in. (5.1 cm) to 3 in. (7.6 cm) apart.
• The circle method: Use a piece of floss about 12 in. (30.5 cm) long. Tie the ends together, forming a loop. If the loop is too large, wrap the floss around your fingers to make it smaller.

Gently work the floss between the teeth toward the gums. Curve the floss around each tooth into a U-shape and gently slide it under the gum line. Move the floss firmly up and down several times to scrape off the plaque. Popping the floss in and out between the teeth without scraping will not remove much plaque and can hurt your gums.

A plastic flossing tool makes flossing easier. Child-size flossing tools are available for parents to use to floss their children's teeth. They are available at most drugstores.

If your gums bleed when you floss, the bleeding should stop as your gums become healthier and tighter next to your teeth.

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For more information about brushing, flossing, and the care of your teeth, talk to your dentist and dental hygienist.

If you would like to learn more about oral health care and prevention of oral disease, the following organization can provide information:

Organization

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Citations

1. Robinson PG, et al. (2007). Manual versus powered toothbrushing for oral health. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (1).

Author:	Jeannette Curtis	Last Updated: May 22, 2007
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Steven K. Patterson, BSc, DDS, MPH - Dentist
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