This document provides a comprehensive guide on maintaining dental health, emphasizing the importance of daily brushing and flossing to prevent dental issues. Key techniques include brushing twice daily for two minutes, using a proper technique, and regular dental visits for professional advice. It also discusses dietary habits to avoid and additional methods like whitening strips for cosmetic enhancement.

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Medically reviewed by Joseph Krajekian, DMD
Last Updated: November 5, 2020 References Approved
Dental hygiene should be a part of your daily routine.
Taking good care of your teeth can not only help
them keep looking great, but can also help you avoid
painful issues that can arise from improper care. By
learning how to best care for your teeth and
implementing those techniques into your daily
routine, you can help your teeth to last longer and
look their best.
Brushing Your Teeth
1
Flossing Your Teeth
2
Taking Further Action To Keep Teeth
Healthy
3
Tips and Warnings
Things You'll Need
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1 Brush your teeth twice a day. Brushing your teeth too much or too little can both
result in problems. You will want to brush your teeth daily, two times every day, to
avoid causing any dental problems. By brushing often enough, you can help keep your
teeth clean and healthy.
Brush your teeth twice a day.
When you brush your teeth, brush for them for two minutes.
You might want to try brushing once in the morning and once in the evening.
Use just enough toothpaste to cover the length of the brush itself.
Do not swallow toothpaste.
[1] [2]
2 Use the recommended technique when brushing. There are some techniques that
are recommended by dental organizations that can help keep your teeth clean and
healthy. Brush your teeth following these steps to make the most of your brushing:
Brush all teeth in small circles, covering the entire tooth, from tip to gum line.
Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle along your gum line. The brush should cover
both your gum line and your teeth.
Brush the outside faces of your teeth. Focus on groups of two or three teeth before
moving onto the next.
Move to the inner faces of your teeth, keeping your brush at a 45-degree angle.
Keep your brushing motion focused on only two to three teeth at time, before
moving onto the rest of them.
Finish by brushing the inside faces of your front teeth by holding the tooth brush
vertically, moving it up and down.
[3]
Medically reviewed by:
Joseph Krajekian, DMD
Board Certified Oral & Maxillofacial
Surgeon
Co-authors:
52
Updated:
November 5,
2020
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3. 3 Don't brush too hard. Keep your brushing pace slow and gentle. Brushing too fast or
too hard can cause injury and soreness. Don't be in a hurry as you work to thoroughly
and properly clean your teeth.
Brushing too hard can lead to sensitive teeth and receding gums.
Consider using a brush with softer bristles if you notice your teeth or gums
becoming sensitive from brushing.
If the bristles of your brush are pushed outwards when brushing, you are brushing
too hard.
[4]
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1 Make flossing a daily habit. You should floss your teeth at least once daily, in
conjunction with your regular brushing. Flossing is a great way to remove tartar and
plaque that brushing sometimes can't.[5]
2 Get the right amount of floss. You will need the right length of floss in order to
properly floss your teeth. An appropriate length of floss is one that reaches from your
hand to your shoulder. Once you have this length of floss, wrap the ends around your
middle fingers.
The floss should reach between your hands, having been wrapped around your
middle fingers.
[6]
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4. 3 Start flossing. Once you have the floss wrapped around your middle fingers, you can
start working it between your teeth. Follow these detailed steps to get the most out of
your flossing:
Slide the floss between your teeth.
Bend the floss into a “c” shape.
Bring the floss completely up and down the tooth to clean out any plaque or tartar.
Bend the “c” shape the other way and once again move the floss completely up and
down the tooth.
Continue in this way until you have flossed between every tooth.
[7]
4 Follow up with brushing and mouthwash. After you floss your teeth you will want
to brush them and then finish with a mouthwash. This can help remove any leftover
particles of plaque or tartar that were broken loose during flossing.
Swish mouth wash for around thirty seconds before spitting it out.
You can dilute mouthwash with water if it is too strong.
Brush properly, reaching all your teeth, and taking at least two minutes.
[8]
[9]
1 Visit with your dentist. Making and appointment with your dentist, even if you don't
have any obvious dental issues, can be a great way to maintain dental health and
prevent any future problems. Your dentist will help keep your teeth healthy and can give
you tips that you can use at home.
Regular visits with your dentist can help catch issues before they become big
problems.
Your dentist will be able to tell you how you can best maintain the health of you
teeth.
Visit your dentist at least once every two years if you have no problems. Visit
immediately if you notice any new dental issues developing.[10]
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5. 2 Consider getting braces. If you are unhappy with how your teeth look, you might
want to consider braces. Braces work by applying tension to your teeth, over a period
of time, to realign them. Beyond cosmetic reasons, braces can also help with dental issues
such as a reduction in jaw pain and pressure.
Two types of braces exist today, fixed and removable.
Removable braces can be taken out of the mouth, but the patient must keep careful
records and diligently wear them to get the most out of them.
Fixed braces cannot be taken off by the patient and don't require the attention that
removable braces do.
[11]
3 Watch what you eat and drink. Some foods and drinks can cause harm to your
teeth, wearing them down, staining them, or otherwise damaging them. By avoiding
these foods, drinks, and dietary habits you can keep your teeth looking great and healthy.
Foods that have a long period of contact with your teeth such as sugar, soda,
cookies, and candies can damage teeth.
Snacking often will make your mouth a more comfortable place for bacteria to live
in. These bacteria can lead to tooth decay and other dental issues.
Highly acidic foods and drinks, such as orange juice or tomatoes, can erode the
enamel on you teeth.
Tobacco, soda, tea, and red wine can all stain your teeth over time.
[12]
[13]
4 Try using whitening strips. Whitening strips work by chemically dissolving stains,
either by removing surface stains or targeting stains within the tooth. Both of these
methods have versions that can be applied at home, by yourself, or applied by your dentist.
Bleaching products will usually contain peroxide and focus on both inner and outer
stain removal.
Dentifrices work to remove only surface stains.
Some report having sensitive teeth and gums after using whitening products. This
is generally a temporary side effect.
[14]
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Brush twice daily for around two minutes.
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6. Flossing should be a part of your daily dental care routine.
Watch what you eat, avoiding sugary foods, to prevent cavities.
Visit your dentist to learn the best techniques that you can use to care for your teeth.
Don't smoke or use drugs, as they can have long-lasting effects on your teeth such as
staining, decaying, and other dental issues.
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Don't brush your teeth too hard as this can remove enamel and cause your gums to recede.
Toothbrush
Floss
Mouthwash
An appointment with your dentist.
How to
Clean Your Teeth After Wisdom Teeth
Removal
How to
Use Miswak
How to
Remove Popcorn from Your Teeth
How to
Clean Partially Erupted Wisdom Teeth
How to
Remove Plaque
How to
Clean Gold Teeth
How to
Clean Teeth With Braces
How to
Care for Your Teeth
How to
Use Disclosing Tablets
How to
Get Rid of White Spots on Teeth
How to
Treat Craze Lines
How to
Pick Your Teeth Without a Toothpick
How to
Have White Clean Shiny Teeth
How to
Deep Clean Your Teeth
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