Tooth brushing tips

• The head of your toothbrush should be placed beside the teeth, and the tips of the bristles placed at a 45-degree-angle to the gumline.
• Move the toothbrush back and forth in small circular motions and move it from tooth to tooth.
• Keep the bristles angled against the gumline, while you brush both the inner and outer surfaces of each tooth.
• Brush the chewing surfaces straight on.
• Clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth by tilting the brush vertically and making several up-and-down strokes with the front of the brush.
• Finish by brushing your tongue, which helps remove harmful bacteria from your mouth.

Flossing tips

• Break off approximately 18 inches of dental floss, and wind most of it around one of your index fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the other hand. This finger will take up the floss as it is used.
• Hold the floss tightly between your two hands, with about an inch of floss between them. Gently guide the floss between your teeth using a sawing motion.
• When the floss reaches the gumline, curve it into a C-shape against the tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth until you feel resistance.
• Hold the floss against the tooth. Gently scrape the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum.
• Repeat this technique on all of your teeth, including the teeth in back.

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