Good oral care does not need to be complicated, but doing the basics every day makes a real difference. The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between your teeth once a day.
Use a soft-bristled brush and gentle strokes instead of scrubbing hard, which can irritate gums. Floss or another between-teeth cleaner reaches the spots a brush cannot. Replace your toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles look frayed.
- Angle the brush toward the gumline, not just the tops of your teeth.
- Spit out extra toothpaste instead of rinsing, so the fluoride stays on longer.
- Keep up regular dental check-ups.
Talk to your dentist if you have bleeding gums, ongoing bad breath or tooth pain.
