WatchOral Hygiene

Your daily defense: brushing and flossing the right way

Nothing you do for your teeth and gums matters more than good oral hygiene. Done right, two minutes of brushing and a minute of flossing each day prevents cavities, controls gum disease, and adds years to the life of your natural teeth. Done casually or incorrectly, it simply leaves plaque behind to do its damage.

This video demonstrates both techniques in detail. Start with brushing: tilt the bristles at a 45-degree angle toward the gumline, use small circular sweeping motions, and work on just one or two teeth at a time for two full minutes. The spots most people miss are the inside surfaces and the chewing surfaces, so give those the same attention.

Flossing comes down to one move, the C-shape: curve the floss around each tooth and gently glide it up and down a few times below the gumline. Simply snapping it straight up and down never cleans the surface where plaque builds up. Do both every day, and at every cleaning we'll let you know how your home care is working.

Not sure which brush, toothpaste, or technique is right for you? Ask at your next visit to Way Dental, where we're happy to demonstrate one-on-one. Small adjustments can make a big difference.

Read the video transcript