Regular Dental Care

Dental problems affect more than your teeth and mouth. Gum (periodontal) disease and other mouth infections may increase the risk for:

An oral exam can also help a dentist detect many health problems.

Brush Your Teeth

Do this twice a day. Brush more often, if you need to.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a toothpaste with fluoride. Brush with a gentle touch. If you have sensitive teeth, use a toothpaste made for this.
Do a thorough job. Brush in small circles across all of the surfaces of the upper and lower teeth. Brush all sides of each tooth, including the surfaces between the teeth.
A child younger than 7 years old and some disabled persons may need help to do a thorough job. An electric toothbrush may be helpful.
Use a toothbrush that fits your mouth. Change your toothbrush to a new one every 3 to 4 months. Do this more often if the bristles are bent or frayed. Change it after having a throat or mouth infection, too.
Brush your gums gently. Keep the brush perpendicular to your teeth.
Gently brush your tongue. It can trap germs.

Floss or use an interdental cleaner once a day to remove food particles and plaque from areas that your toothbrush cannot reach.
Use a piece of floss about 1-1/2 feet long.
To floss your upper teeth, hold the floss tightly between the thumb on one hand and index finger on the other. Using a gentle, sawing motion, bring the floss through the tight spaces between the teeth. Do not snap it against the gums.
With the floss at the gum line, curve it into a C-shape against one tooth and gently scrape the side of it with the floss. Repeat on each tooth. Use a fresh section of floss for each tooth.
Repeat for your lower teeth, but hold the floss between both index fingers.
If it is hard for you to use dental floss, use a dental floss holder sold in drugstores.
Rinse your mouth after flossing.
After flossing, rinse your mouth with water, mouthwash, or an anti-microbial mouthwash.
It is normal for gums to be tender and bleed for the first week. If the bleeding continues, see your dentist.

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