HOW TO BRUSH
Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small, “pea sized”, amount of fluoride toothpaste. Brush slowly and carefully, covering all areas between teeth and the surface of each tooth. Begin with the top teeth and when all four steps are completed, repeat on the lower teeth. It will take you several minutes to thoroughly brush your teeth. Before you finish, remember to brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth! Please make sure that you spit out any excess toothpaste.
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Outside of front teeth
Outside of front teeth. Hold your toothbrush at a 45° angle where your teeth and gums meet. Move the brush back and forth in a gentle motion. |
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Outside and inside of back teeth.
Use short, angled brush strokes |
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Inside of front teeth.
Tilt the brush vertically and make up-and-down strokes. |
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Chewing Surfaces.
Hold the brush flat and use a gentle motion. |
Brush your teeth four times daily to avoid accumulation of food particles and plaque:
- In the morning after breakfast
- After lunch or right after school
- After dinner
- At bedtime
As soon as bristles start to wear down or fray, replace your toothbrush with a new one. Also, remember to replace your toothbrush after any contagious illnesses.
HOW TO FLOSS
For areas between the teeth that a toothbrush can’t reach, dental floss is used to remove food particles and plaque. Dental floss is a thin thread of waxed nylon that is used to reach below the gum line and clean between the teeth. A child’s back teeth typically begin touching at the age of three, and flossing becomes necessary on a daily basis. At this young age, a parent should floss the child’s teeth to prevent any damage to the gum tissues. Every child is different, so ask Dr. Hargleroad when your child should add flossing to their daily routine.
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Setting up and inserting floss.
Pull about 18 inches of floss from the dispenser and wrap the ends around your middle fingers. Hold floss tightly, using your fingers to gently guide the floss between the teeth. |
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Removing plaque.
Holding the floss tightly against the tooth, move the floss away from the gum, scraping the floss up and down against the side of the tooth. |
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Cleaning the whole mouth.
Repeat flossing procedure on each tooth, upper and lower, using a clean segment of floss. |
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Flossing back teeth.
Don’t forget to floss behind back teeth or where there is no adjacent tooth. |
Floss at night to make sure your teeth are squeaky clean before you go to bed. When you first begin to floss, your gums may bleed a little. If the bleeding does not go away after several times, please let our staff know at your next appointment.
Most children do not acquire the fine motor skills necessary for brushing and flossing on their own until they are 6-8 years of age. So, until this time, it is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that the child’s teeth are being adequately cleaned. Brushing your infant’s or toddler’s teeth can be a real challenge. I often hear, “My child won’t let me brush their teeth.” Remember that you are the parent and you know what is best for your child. It is important for your child to know that keeping his or her teeth clean and healthy is necessary for overall health, for having a pleasant smile, and for speaking and eating properly. Begin to remind your child of this at an early age. Try to make tooth brushing a game and not a power struggle. Brush twice daily, with the amount of fluoridated toothpaste that Dr. Hargleroad recommends for your child, on a soft toothbrush. Positioning your child is very important for proper brushing. You should be seated with your legs crossed at the ankles. The child should stand between your legs, facing away from you. Allow your child to rest their head against your thigh or stomach and retract the lips with your free hand. The teeth can then be more easily brushed, as you are imitating the same movements as when brushing your own teeth. By establishing healthy habits at a young age, you can significantly affect and contribute to your child’s dental health.
If you are having trouble with your child or toddler’s oral hygiene needs, be sure to ask Dr. Hargleroad or staff for helpful hints!
