attachment 7 - brushing and flossing brochure

ORAL HEALTH
INFORMATION FOR ADULTS

FLOSSING AND BRUSHING
Oral Health and Adults
This fact sheet oflers practical suggestions about how
to care for your teeth and gums as ew ll as tips that may
maek the job easier. Oral health is important for people of
all ages. A healthy mouth helps people enjoy their food,
chew be er, eat ew ll, and avoid pain and tooth loss. With
good oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist, you can
maintain your oral health for years.

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Brushing remoev s dental plaque, a sticyk , oc lorless lm of
bacteria on tooth surfaces. If plaque is not remoev d, some
of it can harden below the gum line and irritate the gums.

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Flossing remoev s dental plaque between teeth where a
toothbrush can’t reach. If not remoev d, dental plaque can
build up and cause tooth decay and gum disease.
■ Follow the step-by-step guide s( ee next page)
■ Use tools that might maek ossing easier
■ Floss regularly

What type of toothbrush?
■ Soft bristle brush that is small
enough to reach all areas of
your mouth.

What type of floss?
■ Waxed, unwaxed, flavored,
or plain floss all do the same
thing.

What if it’s hard to floss?
■ If it’s hard to floss, there are
flossing tools that can help
(see inside page).

Flossing Step-by-Step
Follow these steps to floss
your teeth:
■ Use a string of floss about two
feet long. Wrap that piece
around the middle finger of
each hand.
■ Grip the floss between the
thumb and index finger of
each hand.
■ Ease the floss gently between
the teeth until it reaches the
gumline. (Don’t ‘snap’ or force
the floss into place — this could
harm the gums.)
■ Curve the floss like the letter
“C” around each tooth, keeping
in contact with the side of the
tooth. Slide the floss up and
down under the gum.
■ Do this for both sides of every
tooth, one side at a time. Adjust
the floss a little as you move
from tooth to tooth so the floss
is clean for each one.
■ Be sure to floss all teeth,
including the backs of the last
teeth on each side.
■ Use flossing tools if needed.

Flossing Tools

Floss holder

Floss threader

Oral irrigator

Interdental brush

Brushing Your Teeth
To keep your teeth healthy, it is important to remove the sticky dental plaque that
can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
■ Gum Disease­—If plaque is not removed, some of it can harden below the gum line and
irritate the gums. The gums become red, swollen, and may bleed easily. These are signs of
gingivitis. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease, and you can usually reverse it with daily
brushing and flossing. If there are areas in your mouth where your gums have pulled away
from the teeth (called gum recession), the exposed tooth roots can decay as well.
■ Tooth Decay (cavities)—Even teeth that already have fillings are at risk for tooth decay.
Plaque can build up underneath a chipped filling and cause new decay.

Brushing Tips
■ Use toothpaste with fluoride. Fluoride
is what protects teeth from tooth
decay (cavities). It prevents decay by
strengthening the tooth’s hard outer
surface, called enamel.
■ Angle the bristles toward the gumline, so
they clean between the gums and teeth.
■ Brush gently using small, circular motions.
Do not scrub hard back and forth.
■ Brush all sides of each tooth.
■ Brush your tongue.

Visiting the Dentist
You or a person you care for should have regular dental appointments. Professional
cleanings are just as important as brushing and flossing at home. Regular exams can
identify problems early, before they cause unnecessary pain. Before each appointment,
make sure to have a list of current medications, known allergies, and any insurance or
billing information.
At these visits, the dentist or dental hygienist can suggest an oral hygiene routine that
may make it easier for you or a person you care for. The dentist may also prescribe a
special toothpaste or mouthwash to help prevent tooth decay, or mouthwash to fight
germs that cause gum disease. Follow the dentist’s instructions for use.
Adapted from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research • 1-866-232-4528 • www.nidcr.nih.gov
This information is not copyrighted. Make as many photocopies as you need.
The depiction of any particular product in these materials does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the federal government.

November 2020