How to Properly Clean Your Teeth
Clean teeth are important from an aesthetic standpoint and for your general health. Clean and healthy teeth are achieved through a combination of brushing, flossing and diet. Regular visits to your dentist will help ensure that you are taking care of your teeth and don’t need to take more drastic measures. While teeth whiteners don’t clean your teeth, they can be useful in improving the color of your teeth. Learning the right way to floss and brush is the best way to guarantee you are properly cleaning your teeth.
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Instructions
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Brushing
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Place toothpaste on your toothbrush.
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Brush teeth for a full two minutes. Use a timer or stopwatch to keep track of the time while brushing.
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Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle against your teeth.
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Brush the outer and inner surfaces of teeth, the chewing surface and your gums. You may need to reach to get the very back teeth.
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Brush teeth at least twice a day. Your teeth will be healthiest if you brush after each meal.
Flossing
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Floss a minimum of once every day. If you eat foods such as popcorn, corn or stringy foods, floss after eating so food doesn’t get stuck between teeth.
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Slide the floss between your teeth with a back and forth movement, not up and down. The floss should move against both teeth and go up to the gums.
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Floss between all teeth including the back teeth that are against gums.
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Tips & Warnings
Try to limit sodas and sugary foods. The sugar creates cavities in your teeth.
Replace your toothbrush every three months.
Don’t skip dentist visits just because you are properly cleaning your teeth at home. A dentist will check hard-to-reach areas and search for problems that you may not have caught. Plus, a dentist will give you a professional cleaning.
References
- “The Oral Health Bible”; Michael Bonner et al; 2003
- “Take Care of Your Teeth (Rookie Read-About Health)”; Don L. Curry; 2005
- “Things You Should Know About Teeth: A Dental Health Guide”; B.D.S. Benjamin Lee; 2007
- Photo Credit Polka Dot Images/Polka Dot/Getty Images
