To properly floss you should wind the floss around the index fingers of both hands and push the resultant line of floss between each of the teeth in your mouth. Make sure to freely move the floss upwards, downwards and even sideways to remove any food particles or plaque that may be lodged between your teeth or under the gums.

Whether you use an electric toothbrush or prefer a manual brush you should hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to your teeth. Gently but thoroughly rub the bristles in a circular motion across your teeth and under your gums, going backward and forward across each tooth. Be sure to also brush the top surfaces of your teeth where you bite or chew on food. Your tongue can also be cleaned with your toothbrush, which will help reduce bad breath. Lastly, it is important to brush the inside surfaces of your teeth with the same rotating motion.

When brushing, it is important to use toothpaste that contains fluoride. Fluoride helps harden the outer layer of the tooth, called enamel, which will prevent cavities and also reduce bacteria in the mouth. It can also reverse the formation of smaller cavities.

Finally, antibacterial rinses can help reduce bacteria in the mouth. Please feel free to ask us if you have any additional questions.