Cleaning Your Teeth

It is vital to floss and brush before going to bed each day in order to keep your teeth and gums healthy. An additional time or two is highly recommended if you take medications that dry your mouth, have stomach/reflux disorders, or insist on continuing a high sugar/high acid diet.

It is also important to note that flossing and brushing may help to control gum disease and to slow the progression of tooth decay. Flossing and brushing will NOT prevent tooth decay despite what the media may have you believe. An effective decay prevention plan starts with the restriction of sugar and acid in your diet (think: soft drinks, lemonade, high carb foods) and is supported by the daily removal of plaque from the teeth.

If you need help choosing the right toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss, please ask us and we can help you choose the right products for your teeth.

• Flossing Instructions
• Brushing Instructions
• Printable instructions

Flossing Instructions

Flossing: Step 1

Wind about 18 inches of floss around your middle fingertips as shown. Most of it should be wrapped around one finger, and the other finger takes it up as the floss is used.

Flossing: Step 2

Use your thumbs and forefingers to guide about one inch of floss between your teeth. (NOTE: The cartoon shows WAY too much for demonstration only!)

Flossing: Step 3

Holding the floss tightly, gently saw the floss between your teeth. Then curve the floss into a C-shape against one tooth and gently slide it up and down the sides of the teeth and beneath your gums.

Flossing: Step 4

Slide the floss up and down, repeating for each tooth.

Brushing Instructions

Brushing: Step 1

Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gum.

Brushing: Step 2

Brush gently in a circular motion.

Brushing: Step 3

Brush the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of each tooth.

Brushing: Step 4

Use the tip of your brush for the inner surface of your front teeth.