4. Oral Care
• For the outer tooth surfaces,
place the toothbrush at a 45-
B degree angle toward the
R gumline. Use gentle, short
strokes, moving the brush
U back and forth against the
S teeth and gums.
H
I
N • Use this same motion to
G clean the chewing and inner
tooth surfaces.
5. Oral Care
• To clean the inner front
B tooth surfaces, hold the
brush upright and use gentle
R up-and-down strokes with
U the tip of the brush.
S
H • Don't forget to brush along
I the gumline, and make sure
N you reach the teeth right at
G the back.
• Also give your tongue a
brushing, it'll help keep your
breath fresh!
7. Oral Care
• Take about 18 inches
(50cm) of floss and loosely
F wrap most of it around each
L middle finger (wrapping
more around one finger than
O the other) leaving 2 inches
S (5cm) of floss in between.
S
I • With your thumbs and index
N fingers holding the floss
G taut, gently slide it down
between your teeth, while
being careful not to snap it
down on your gums.
8. Oral Care
• Curve the floss around each
F tooth in a "C" shape and
L gently move it up and down
the sides of each tooth,
O including under the gumline.
S Unroll a new section of floss
S as you move from tooth to
I tooth
N
G
10. Oral Care
I • These use a pressurized
R stream of water to help clean
around the gumline. It has
R adjustable settings for
I • use on sensitive areas and
G has a water tower large
A enough to clean the whole
T mouth. As an alternative to
O water, the irrigator can also
be used with mouthrinse.
R
S
12. Oral Care
• Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings which
are applied to the chewing surfaces of the back
teeth to prevent decay.
• Most tooth decay in children and adolescents
S occur on the chewing surfaces of these back
teeth or molars. This is because molars have
E irregular surfaces with pits and grooves which
A tend to trap food and bacterial debris. Sealants
flow into and coat these pits and grooves so
L that bacteria cannot multiply and cause decay.
A
• The teeth most likely to benefit from sealant
N applications are the first and second molars just
T after they have erupted and before decay has
had a chance to occur. Generally, the first
molars erupt at six years old and second molars
at about twelve years old
14. Oral Care
• My gums bleed when I floss; should I stop when
Q this happens?
– It is quite common for your gums to bleed when you first
start flossing. It may be a sign that you have some form of
& gum disease. After a few days of flossing, the bleeding
should stop as your gums become healthier. If bleeding
persists, consult your dentist.
A
• I've never cleaned in between my teeth before; is
it too late to start?
– It's never too late. Whatever your age, interdental cleaning
provides major benefits to your teeth and gums that you'll
notice right away so the sooner you start, the better.
15. Oral Care
• Are there flosses for special conditions?
– If you have braces or restorative dental work (such as a
bridge) that interferes with normal flossing, you may want
Q to try threading floss that contains a spongy section.
Toothpaste, fluoride or an antibacterial agent can be used on
& the spongy floss section.
• My teeth have wide gaps between them; do I still
A
have to floss?
– Even if you have widely spaced teeth, plaque still forms
between them and below the gumline-areas your brush can't
reach. In addition to flossing, your dentist or hygienist may
also recommend using an interdental toothbrush. This
toothbrush has a very small tapered or cylindrical head with
fine bristles, ideal for removing plaque between wider-
spaced teeth.
17. Oral Care
• Your toothbrush will only • Brushing the teeth too
clean one or two teeth at a vigorously or using a hard
time. Change its position to bristled toothbrush causes
properly clean each tooth. the gums to recede and
exposes root surfaces. It also
• To prevent plaque damage, wears down the tooth
be sure to brush at least once structure. Both of these
T every day, preferably at conditions can lead to tooth
bedtime. Adding a brush sensitivity.
I
time after breakfast
P increases your chances of • A pea-sized amount of
S thorough daily plaque fluoridated toothpaste is all
removal. you need, should you choose
to use a toothpaste.
• Don’t rush your brush. A
thorough brushing should • Replace your brush when
take at least 3 minutes. the bristles begin to spread.
A worn out toothbrush will
not properly clean your
teeth.
