How to Brush and Floss

A healthy mouth is important to overall health throughout life.

Brushing your teeth

The best way to brush every day includes four easy steps:

1. Brush your teeth two times each day for two minutes each time.
2. Place your toothbrush where your teeth and gums meet. Brush in small circles to loosen the plaque.
3. Work in a pattern:
   • brush the outside,
   • brush the inside, and
   • brush the chewing surfaces.
4. To brush behind the front teeth, use the tip of your toothbrush:
   • brush down on the upper teeth, and
   • brush up on the lower teeth.

Flossing your teeth

Flossing every day is important for overall dental health. Follow these five steps to properly floss your teeth:

1. Wind 45 cm (18 inches) of floss around your middle fingers.
2. Hold the working portion between your thumbs and first fingers while guiding the floss back and forth between your teeth.
3. Curve the floss into a c-shape around the side of your tooth where the tooth meets the gum. Place your fingers inside your mouth and slide the floss up and down to remove the plaque and food debris.
4. Unwind the floss from one finger to the other so you have a clean section of floss to use each time.
5. Using a holder may make flossing easier, especially for children.

Lift the lip and look for white or brown spots

Children can get cavities as soon as their teeth come in. When brushing your child's teeth, lift the upper lip and look for white or brown lines or spots along the gum line. They may be early signs of a cavity. If left untreated, cavities may lead to pain and infection. If you see any white or brown lines or spots, visit your dentist.