Toothbrushing and flossing are the first line of defense against plaque bacteria in the mouth and should be done twice daily. It is important that bacteria biofilms in the mouth are disturbed often, and toothbrush and flossing are the perfect way to perform this task. By disturbing plaque biofilms, problems such as infections and the occurrence of cavities can be prevented.

Toothbrushing:

• Be sure that you choose a toothbrush with soft or ultra-soft bristles.
• Stiff bristles can be damaging to the tooth structure and the surrounding gum tissue.
• Be sure to angle the bristles of the toothbrush into the periodontal pocket - the space between the tooth and gum tissue.
•  Move the toothbrush back and forth and gently sweep up and away from the gums.
• The heel of the toothbrush can be used to brush behind the front upper and lower teeth.
• Brush all the surfaces of the teeth, including behind the last tooth, for at least 2 minutes

Flossing:

• Flossing helps removed plaque bacteria where the toothbrush cannot reach, which is in between the teeth.
• Make sure the floss reaches under the gum tissue and into the periodontal pocket.
• Be sure to wrap the floss in a “C” shape around each tooth and work it down into the gums to ensure proper removal of plaque bacteria.

Be sure to use a new section on the floss each time you floss between two different pairs of teeth. This prevents the spread of bacteria to different locations in the mouth.