How to Brush Teeth

Dental care is important to your overall health.

Dental care is essential for healthy teeth and a healthy body. By brushing your teeth daily, you are preventing gum disease, killing germs and bacteria, and protecting your overall health. It is best to at least brush two to three times per day. By following just a few of these simple steps, you can live your life having clean teeth and fresher breath.

Things You'll Need

• Toothbrush
• <br>Toothpaste
• <br>Floss
• <br>Glass of water

Instructions

1. 

   Retrieve your toothbrush. Make sure you have a toothbrush that will clean and be comfortable on your teeth. For example, younger children probably need soft bristles and adults can use soft or medium bristles, depending on their overall dental health.

2. 

   Get toothpaste. If you are brushing your children's teeth, be sure that the toothpaste is child friendly and has a taste that they would enjoy. Make sure that it is not something too harmful so that it will not hurt them if they accidentally swallow it. For adults, toothpaste with fluoride or whitening is great for brushing.

3. 

   Squeeze some toothpaste onto your toothbrush. Be sure that it covers most of the bristles, but do not get too much as swallowing too much toothpaste could be harmful. Begin by moving the toothbrush back and forth across your top and bottom teeth. Once you have finished this process, reach to the back of your teeth and move your toothbrush with an upward and downward motion to reach all of your teeth.

4. Spit out any extra toothpaste that is left in your mouth and rinse your toothbrush with water. If necessary, repeat the process again with your rinsed off toothbrush to remove extra toothpaste.

5. 

   Floss your teeth after you have brushed. Take the floss and move it back and forth between all of your teeth. Get any leftover debris that may have not gotten clean when you brushed. After flossing, rinse your mouth with a glass of water. The entire process of brushing and flossing should take around five minutes.

Tips & Warnings

• Get a new toothbrush every 3 or 4 months. A worn toothbrush will not clean your teeth properly.

• <br>It should take about 3 minutes to brush your teeth.

• <br>Brush your teeth at least twice a day.

• <br>Schedule a cleaning with your dentist at least every 6 months.

• <br>Make sure that your toothpaste is ADA-accepted fluoride.