What's the Right Way to Brush Your Teeth?

Prepare your toothbrush.

Before you can brush, you have to floss your teeth. Flossing is an incredibly important, yet often neglected, part of oral
health. It might be painful at first, especially if you aren't in the habit of regularly flossing, but try to make it a part of your
daily routine. Dental floss is able to reach the tiny crevices between your teeth that a toothbrush can't. If you make flossing
a habit, you will definitely notice a difference in the way your mouth feels.
Once you've finished flossing, wet your toothbrush with water and apply a thin strip of toothpaste. If you've ever stood in
the toothpaste aisle at the store, you can attest to the innumerable amount of toothpastes that are available. It all depends
on your own preferences, but try to use one that contains fluoride, which protects the teeth against cavities and
prevents tooth decay.
Start in the back.
Start with your upper molars, or your back teeth, on one side of your mouth and work in a clockwise direction. Point the
bristles toward the gum line at a 45 degree angle. Brush using short, circular motions for approximately 20 seconds.
Roll away.
After 20 seconds, roll the brush headaway from the gum line so the bristles sweep the surface of the tooth,
removing plaque and food particles in the process.
Work in a clockwise direction.
Continue working in a clockwise direction, finishing up with the lower molars on the other side of your mouth. Repeat
steps two and three for theinside surfaces of the upper and lower molars.
Brush behind the upper front teeth.
Brush the lingual, or back, surface of the upper front teeth by using the tip of the toothbrush head. Direct the
bristles toward the gum line and use a flicking motion down the surface of the tooth. Repeat this two or three times for a
more thorough clean.
Brush behind the lower front teeth.
Point the bristles of the tip of the toothbrush toward the gum line and flick the bristles up and away from the gumline in
a sweeping motion. Repeat this step two or three more times.
Brush the top surfaces of the teeth.
Brush the top, biting surfaces of the upper and lower premolars and molars using a circular motion.
Brush the tongue and the insides of the cheeks.
Teeth aren't the only things in your mouth that need to be cleaned. Your tongue, the roof of your mouth and the insides
of your cheeks can also hold onto food particles, plaque and bacteria that make your breath smell. Just like your teeth,
they deserve a good cleaning. With a gentle, circular motion, thoroughly brush your tongue, the insides of your cheeks
and the roof of your mouth.
Finish up with a rinse.
Wrap up with a rinse. Use water or your choice of mouthwash. Don't forget to smile!