Oral Hygiene

CLEANING YOUR TEETH & GUMS
“Brush and floss every day” is the advice parents, teachers, and dental hygienists often give us on the topic of keeping our teeth and gums healthy. But how many times a day should we brush? How many times should we floss? Is there a special technique? All of these questions are prompted by the simple recommendation we receive to maintain good dental hygiene. Usually, the best resource to answer all of these questions is the dentist. At Smiles for Kids, we want to provide you with a comprehensive, easy-to-understand guide to dental hygiene.
How do I brush my teeth?
Proper tooth brushing technique. Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums. Move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes. Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Use the "toe" of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke. Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.
How do I floss my teeth?
Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers. Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums. When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth. Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up and down motions. Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth. Don't forget the backside of your last tooth.