Amway (pl)

Daily brushing removes decaycausing plaque from the tooth surfaces. Teeth should be brushed a minimum of two times a day for at least two minutes each time. Brushing in the morning, after meals, and in the evening prior to bedtime is even better.

After applying fluoride toothpaste to bristles, place your toothbrush at a 45° angle against the gums. Brush back and forth in a circular motion for at least two minutes. Do not forget to gently brush your gums, too. (Too much pressure can cause the gums to recede.)

Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.

Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke. Finally, brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

Note: Replace your toothbrush every three months. New brushes remove more plaque.

Break off about 18 inches (about 45 cm) of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. (Dental floss comes in waxed, unwaxed, flavoured, and tape form and is chosen based on personal preference). Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.

Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle sawing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums. When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.

Hold the floss tightly against the side of the tooth. Gently scrape up and down the side of the tooth five or six times. Without removing, curve the floss around the adjacent tooth and scrape it, too.

When the floss becomes frayed or dirty, a turn of each middle finger brings out a fresh section of floss. Floss both sides of each tooth in the mouth. Don’t forget to floss the back of the last tooth on each side of both upper and lower jaw. After flossing, rinse vigorously with water.

People who have difficulty handling dental floss may prefer to use a dental floss holder or another kind of interdental cleaner. These aids include special brushes, picks or sticks. If you use interdental cleaners, ask your dentist about how to use them properly to avoid injuring your gums.

Use an oral rinse to flush out small food particles that may be trapped between the teeth. Choose a product with an antibacterial formula to reduce plaque.

Place about 30 ml of oral rinse into your mouth. Forcefully “swish” the liquid around your mouth cavity with your teeth clenched together to ensure that the rinse is directed between the teeth.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring element that prevents tooth decay systemically when ingested during tooth development and topically when applied to erupted teeth.

Research has shown that fluoride performs very important functions: It prevents and safely reduces cavities; it promotes the remineralisation or repair of tooth enamel in areas that have been demineralised by acids; it reduces the solubility of enamel in acid by converting hydroxyapatite into less soluble fluorapatite; and it exerts an influence directly on dental plaque by reducing the ability of plaque organisms to produce acid.

Good oral hygiene is especially important for people with special mouth appliances such as bridges, partial dentures, or false teeth. Always consult your dentist for personal recommendations.