Practicing good oral care is of tantamount importance to preventing damage to your teeth and gums. The American Dental Association (ADA) cautions that the buildup of plaque on teeth releases harmful acids that eat away at the teeth, ultimately causing tooth decay and gum disease. Properly cleaning your teeth every day can help you avoid extensive (and expensive) dental procedures.
Step 1
Use the right tools. The ADA advises choosing a soft-bristled toothbrush that fits into your mouth comfortably, as well as a fluoride toothpaste and unwaxed dental floss. Look for the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance when selecting tooth care products, or use the ADA search engine to see if a product is ADA approved.
Step 2
Brush your teeth at least twice a day. The ADA advises placing your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums so the toothbrush head is horizontal to the gum line. Brush the inner and outer surfaces of your teeth with short, soft strokes, using the tip of the brush to clean underneath your front teeth. Cover all chewing surfaces, as well as your tongue.
Step 3
Clean between teeth at least once a day using unwaxed dental floss. The ADA advises using around 18 inches of floss. Twirl the floss around the middle fingers of both hands, grasping it securely with your thumbs and forefingers so around an inch of free floss is exposed. Gently slide the floss between each two adjacent teeth. Using up and down motions, move the floss away from the gum. As you work from tooth to tooth, unwind the floss so you're using a fresh piece for each tooth.
Step 4
Use antimicrobial or antiseptic mouthwash to help prevent plaque in areas of the teeth you might have missed, advises the Mayo Clinic. Although there has been some concern that mouthwashes containing alcohol may cause oral cancer, the ADA says currently there's no scientific evidence to support this connection. Check that any mouthwash you use is ADA approved.
Tips and Warnings
- Mayo Clinic experts say an oral irrigator (water pick) can help get particles of food out of the teeth but is not as efficient as brushing and flossing. If you have difficulty getting unwaxed dental floss to slide between your teeth, use the waxed variety instead.
