How to Brush

How To Brush
Proper brushing takes at least two minutes — that's right, 120 seconds!
Most adults do not come close to brushing that long.


Modified Bass Brushing Technique:
Hold the toothbrush sideways against your teeth with some of the bristles touching your gums.

Tilt the brush so the bristles are pointing at your gum line.

Move the brush back and forth, using short strokes. The tips of the bristles should stay in one place, but the head of the brush should wiggle back and forth. You also can make tiny circles with the brush. This allows the bristles to slide gently under the gum. Do this for about 20 strokes or 20 circles. In healthy gums, this type of brushing should cause no pain. If it hurts, brush more gently.

Flossing
Guide the floss gently between two teeth. If the fit is tight, use a back-and-forth motion to work the floss through the narrow spot. Do not snap the floss; you could cut your gums.

Hold the floss around the front and back of one tooth, making it into a "C" shape. This will wrap the floss around the side edge of that tooth.

Gently move the floss toward the base of the tooth and into the space between the tooth and gum. Move the floss up and down with light to firm pressure to skim off plaque from the tooth. Do not press so hard that you injure the gum.