Oral Hygiene at Home

The Fundamentals

Brushing and Flossing, Done Properly

Brushing

Brush at least twice a day — and never skip bedtime, when saliva flow drops and bacteria do the most damage. Use a soft bristle brush (medium and hard brushes damage gums and wear roots). Angle the bristles at about 45 degrees toward the gumline and use small, gentle circles rather than hard scrubbing. Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, the chewing surfaces, and then your tongue — tongue brushing alone can cut bad breath significantly.

Flossing

A toothbrush cannot reach between your teeth, and those surfaces are highly prone to decay and gum disease. Use about 12–16 inches of floss wound around your middle fingers, guide it gently between the teeth, then curve it into a C shape against each tooth and move it up and down beneath the gumline. Never snap it down onto the gums.

If Your Hands Give You Trouble

Arthritis, tremor or reduced grip make traditional flossing genuinely difficult — and that’s not a personal failing, it’s a design problem. These help enormously: