Good home care starts with balanced meals, fewer snacks, and using the right dental aids to control the plaque and bacteria that cause dental disease.
Brushing
Brush at least twice a day, especially before bed, with an ADA-approved soft-bristle brush and toothpaste.
- Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to the gums and brush gently in small circles. You should always feel the bristles on your gums.
- Brush the outer, inner and biting surfaces of every tooth.
- Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside of your front teeth.
- Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.
Electric toothbrushes are also recommended. Rest the bristles on your gums and teeth and let the brush do the work, a few teeth at a time.
Flossing
Daily flossing is the best way to clean between your teeth and under the gum line. It also breaks up plaque colonies before they damage your gums, teeth and bone.
- Take 12–16 inches (30–40 cm) of floss and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches (5 cm) between your hands.
- Guide the floss with your thumbs and forefingers and ease it between your teeth with a gentle sawing motion.
- Curve the floss into a “C” around each tooth and under the gum line, then move it gently up and down to clean the side of the tooth.
If regular floss is hard to use, try a floss holder.
Rinsing
Rinse with water after brushing, and after meals if you can’t brush. If you use an over-the-counter rinse, ask your dentist or hygienist whether it’s right for you.
Other dental aids
Interdental brushes, rubber-tip stimulators, tongue cleaners, irrigation devices, fluoride and medicated rinses can all help, when your dentist or hygienist recommends them.