Good oral hygiene begins by making sure your teeth stay clean and bright. Removing plaque--the film on your teeth caused by food debris and bacteria--prevents a host of more troublesome complications, including a build-up of tartar (hardened plaque), inflamed gums (gingivitis), tooth discoloration and bad breath. The American Dental Association gives its Seal of Acceptance to various "tools of the trade" used to cleanse your mouth and explains how to use them properly.
Select Your Tools
Step 1
Purchase a good toothbrush. The ADA advises using a soft-bristled brush to clean your teeth. Make sure that the head of the toothbrush can fit in your mouth easily, so you can reach all surfaces.
Step 2
Select a fluoride toothpaste. You can choose a whitening toothpaste that contains ingredients that gently polish your teeth and help dissolve surface staining, but make sure it has the ADA Seal of Acceptance, advises the Mayo Clinic.
Step 3
Choose dental floss. While most people find unwaxed dental floss adequate, if the spaces between your teeth are very tight, you may find it easier to use a waxed floss, says the Mayo Clinic.
Step 4
Consider purchasing a mouthwash. MSN Fitness & Health expert, dentist Robert Danoff, points out that mouthwash is optional, but it can help you fight bad breath, as well as rinse away the bacteria that cause plaque to form. Choose an antimicrobial mouth rinse that's ADA-accepted.
Daily Oral Hygiene Plan
Step 1
Brush your teeth at least twice daily, urges the ADA. Put a small amount of toothpaste on the bristles and place the brush parallel to your gum line. Use short, tooth-sized strokes to gently cover all of the outer and inner surfaces of your teeth. Use the tip of your toothbrush to clean the inside of your front teeth, and don't forget to brush your tongue.
Step 2
Floss between your teeth at least once a day after brushing, advises the ADA. Tear off about 18 inches of dental floss, winding most of the floss around your middle finger of one hand and the remaining portion around the middle finger of your other hand. Grasping the floss between your thumbs and forefingers, gently slide it between your teeth. When the floss hits your gum, curve it into a V-shaped formation to rub away debris closest to the gum line, then move the floss in up and down motions, away from the gum. Unwind new floss each time you move on to another tooth.
Step 3
Rinse your mouth or gargle using mouthwash according to the product label's instructions--typically, for around 30 seconds--twice daily after brushing, or as needed. Many stronger antiseptic mouthwashes, such as Listerine, can be diluted with water, if the product is too strident for full-strength use.
Things You'll Need
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Dental floss
- Mouthwash (optional)
