Even though we’ve been brushing and flossing our teeth for years and years, many of us are surprised to learn that we’re not doing it properly.
Case in point: Did you know that proper brushing takes at least two minutes? Most adults do not come close to brushing that long.
These four steps are the best and easiest ways to help you remember how to care for your mouth, teeth and gums:
- Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for at least two minutes and especially first thing in the morning and before bedtime
- Floss every day– usually at bedtime
- Limit the number of times you eat snacks each day
- Visit your dentist every six months for an oral exam and professional cleaning.
How to Floss
- Pull 18 to 24 inches of dental floss from the floss dispenser.
- Wrap the ends of the floss around your index and middle fingers.
- Hold the floss tightly around each tooth in a C shape; move the floss back and forth in a push-pull motion and up and down against the side of each tooth.