What is Good Oral HygieneWhat is Good Oral Hygiene?Good oral hygiene results in a mouth that looks and smells healthy. This means:Your teeth are clean and free of debrisGums are pink and do not hurt or bleed when youbrush or flossBad breath  is not a constant problem

If your gums do hurt or bleed while brushing or flossing, or you are experiencing persistent bad breath, see your dentist. Any of these conditions may indicate a problem.

Your dentist or hygienist can help you learn good oral hygiene techniques and can help point out areas of your mouth that may require extra attention during brushing and flossing.How is Good Oral Hygiene Practiced?Maintaining good oral hygiene is one of the most important things you can do for your teeth and gums. Healthy teeth not only enable you to look and feel good, they make it possible to eat and speak properly. Good oral health is important to your overall well-being.

Daily preventive care, including proper brushing and flossing, will help stop problems before they develop and is much less painful, expensive, and worrisome than treating conditions that have been allowed to progress.

In between regular visits to the dentist, there are simple steps that each of us can take to greatly decrease the risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease and other dental problems. These include:Brushing  thoroughly twice a day and flossing daily

Eating a balanced diet and limiting snacks between mealsUsing dental products that contain fluoride, including toothpasteRinsing with a fluoride mouthrinse if your dentist tells you toMaking sure that your children under 12 drink fluoridated water or take a fluoride supplement if they live in a non-fluoridated area.Click here for information on Colgate Toothpaste. Click here for information on Colgate Toothbrushes. Click here for information on Colgate Fluoride Mouth Rinses.

Proper Brushing Technique

Tilt the brush at a 45° angle against the gumline and sweep or roll the brush away from the gumline.

Gently brush the outside, inside and chewing surface of each tooth using short back-and-forth strokes.

Gently brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen breath.

Proper Flossing Technique

Use about 18" of floss, leaving an inch or two to work with.

Gently follow the curves of your teeth.

Be sure to clean beneath the gumline, but avoid snapping the floss on the gums.

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How to Take Care of Your Teethoriginated by:Anonymous, Krystle C., Jack Herrick, Zugbop (see all)

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 Strong healthy looking teeth!

Strong, healthy teeth help you look best. If you don't take care of your teeth, it won't be long before cavities and unhealthy gums make your mouth very, very sore. Eating meals will be difficult. You won't feel like smiling much either. Take care of your teeth before all of them fall out.

editSteps1. 1

Before we begin, there are two essentials to keep in mind about brushing:

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o First: Each tooth has five distinct sides; a toothbrush cleans only 3 of those 5 sides. The other two sides are where much of the destruction and disease (not to mention foul odors) originate: the in between areas. These remaining two sides require dental floss or tiny interdental brushes that can reach in between and under the contact points of the teeth. Gum disease is linked to life-threatening illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and premature low birth weight babies.

o Second: It's not the toothpaste that "cleans" your teeth -- it's the mechanical action of the bristles in physical contact with the tooth surface that removes plaque (a living biofilm teeming with microorganisms that cause disease). You can do a magnificent job brushing your teeth using a dry brush and rinsing with water (although your teeth will not have the benefit of fluoride). So spend time moving the bristles - at and below the gumline - where it is most important to clean. You will have a better idea of what you're doing if you use a dry bristle brush. A minimum of two minutes with the brush is needed for effective cleaning. The toothpaste can go on after those two minutes, and you can have the advantage of fluoride, whitening, stain removal or whatever work better for you because it's applied to a nice clean surface.

2. 2

NOW - on to the particulars:

3. 3

Be sure your toothbrush has very soft bristles (the package will tell you if they're soft). Remember that you'll need a new toothbrush every 3 months. Some toothbrushes come with bristles that change color when it's time to replace them. Don't worry about those whiz-bang toothbrushes -- cheap works just fine, as long as the bristles are soft, they are good!

4. 4

Buy toothpaste that contains fluoride, which makes your teeth strong and protects them from cavities.

5. 5

Understand that when you brush, you don't need a lot of toothpaste; just squeeze out a bit the size of a pea.

6. 6

Brush at least twice a day: in the morning, after breakfast, you will tend to be in a hurry, so do a THOROUGH job in the evening, taking the time to use floss and interdental brushes for those important between-the-teeth areas. This comprehensive cleaning has to be done at least once in a 24 hour period to prevent future problems with gum disease. It is best to do this before you go to bed because your mouth does not have the same salivary protection when you are sleeping as it does during the day.

7. 7

If you can, brush after lunch. Brushing during the day will reduce the damage caused by plaque byproducts and toxins.

8. 8

Brush all of your teeth, and ALL SIDES of your teeth - - not just the front ones that show when you smile! Spend extra time on the back teeth along the gum line holding the bristles at a 45 degree angle pointing toward the gums.

9. 9

Learn how to floss your teeth, which is the ONLY way to clean those all-important 'OTHER' 2 sides of the teeth, and the only way to assure yourself that you are doing what is necessary to prevent gum disease.

10. 10

Find a fluoride mouthwash. A fluoride mouthwash is an excellent idea as it further helps to strengthen tooth enamel. Teach children between the age of 6 and 12 good rinsing skills to prevent swallowing. Rinse with the rinse once a day after brushing and do not eat or drink for 30 minutes

11. 11

Use a tongue scraper! A tongue scraper is an important part of oral hygiene that will also work wonders with stale, smelly breath. Use it to remove the plaque on your tongue, which will freshen breath and presumably slow down the accumulation of plaque on your teeth. You should also use your toothbrush to clean your tongue - then follow with the scraper.

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Use mouth wash. Follow directions on bottle.

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Be careful about what you eat and drink. Sugar feeds the bacteria in your mouth, which then excrete substances that break down tooth enamel. Eat lots of vegetables, and drink water instead of soda or juice.

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Visit the dentist twice a year and have a professional cleaning with a Registered Dental Hygienist. Be an "informed health care consumer" and pay attention to what is going on. Ask your dental hygienist what your probings are at each visit! (They should be between 1 mm and 3 mm deep.)

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Most important: In addition to checking for signs of cavities or gum disease, the dentist and dental hygienist can give you

feedback about how effective your plaque removal at home is, and more importantly help you learn the best way to brush and floss. You need to know how to prevent problems by having your skills evaluated. If you are not effective with flossing and brushing technique, you are only wasting your time while leaving the door open for infection and disease. How many times a day you brush & floss, or how long you spend brushing are all SECONDARY to your degree of skill using them. It all boils down to whether or not you can effectively reach and remove the adherent biofilm surrounding every one of your teeth, at and below the gumline. Ask your dental hygienist to watch your technique and work with you! That's what we're there for!

16. 16

Try and cut down on sweets and foods that contain sugar. They harm and damage your teeth.

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editTips Everyone has millions of bacteria living in their mouths that

have one goal: find a hard surface to stick to and grow into a community. This happens rapidly and automatically, whether we know it or not, 24/7 and 365. It cannot be avoided because our bacteria are part of us and present whether we like it or not. Once they attach themselves to a tooth surface, they form what we call "plaque" - the invisible film that coats your teeth. You have probably felt this 'fuzzy sweater' feeling on your teeth when you wake up in the morning and run your tongue along the outside of the upper back teeth next to your cheek. TAKING CARE of your teeth involves disrupting the plaque by means of physical contact with dental floss and toothbrush bristles.Ads by Googleall Industrial Brushes Wire Nylon Poly etc. Strip, Rollers Roadbrooms, Specials, Cert ISO9001www.thompsonbrushes.com.au

Recent research has focused heavily on plaque due to its direct link to systemic illness. We now call plaque "BIOFILM" because it is much more sophisticated and dangerous than we once believed it to be.

Biofilm contains millions of bacteria clumped together, growing rapidly, reproducing and excreting dangerous waste products.

These bacteria ingest carbohydrates (sugars) and convert them into acids that eat away at tooth enamel, causing small holes called cavities.

Plaque - or biofilm - also causes gingivitis, which leads to periodontitis (destructive gum disease that has reached the bone supporting your teeth).

Some forms of gingivitis can cause your gums to be red, swollen, tender, and bleed when you brush.

However in periodontitis your gums may not hurt or bleed at all; this is especially true if you smoke because smoking strangles the fine terminal capillaries in the oral cavity (and elsewhere for that matter - - this is what causes wrinkles & premature aging in the skin of smokers).

So, unless detected by a dentist or dental hygienist using a probe to carefully measure all the spaces between the teeth and gums, the disease can progress to an advanced stage without any warning signs.

Periodontitis will not be painful until the teeth start to become loose because so much of the bone has been destroyed that there is no support left.

Use a thorough, effective technique with a slow circular motion aimed AT and BELOW the gumline, inside and out, top and bottom. Brushing too hard may abrade your gums or cause them to recede and/or bleed, while brushing too soft will do nothing to get rid of plaque/biofilm.

Floss your teeth before brushing. This is so that plaque from the outside and inside surfaces of the teeth gets dislodged too be killed when you brush.

Many heart-attack patients also have periodontitis (gum disease that has progressed to the bone). A peer-reviewed scientific study found a direct correlation between the amount of plaque on the teeth and the amount of plaque in the arteries. In fact, specific bugs found in atheromas of heart disease patients are the same bugs that are present in diseased periodontal pockets. These correlations are closely

tied to inflammation, so do what you can to prevent it with careful, skilled brushing and flossing.

Aim the bristles toward the gumline and brush the insides and outsides of your teeth in a small circular motion.

Use a linear motion to brush the top sides of your teeth (chewing surfaces).

When brushing the back sides of your front teeth, hold the toothbrush upright (vertical) and move it up and down along each individual tooth - both lower and upper arches. Repeat several times for each tooth.

Use mouth wash after brushing. Chewing gum between meals, especially if the gum is

sweetened with xylitol, helps keep your mouth moist, and your teeth cleaner, both of which are good for your teeth.

Get into the habit of drinking with a straw, as this directs the (possibly sugary) drink away from your teeth.

If you, smoke the odds of you avoiding gum infection and bone loss are slim to none. See www.nidcr.nih.gov and www.perio.org for more information on smoking and gum disease.

Don't forget to brush the back of your tongue and the upper palate of your mouth.

When you use mouthwash, use as directed on the bottle, read all instructions BEFORE using the product.

New prescription toothpastes are now available that can actually reverse early lesions (cavities) by remineralization and also bring added protection to those areas on the verge of breaking down. Ask your dentist or dental hygienist about these products... they are a major breakthrough in preventing decay!

Bulimia can WREAK HAVOC on your teeth causing irreversible damage from the strong acid in your stomach that comes back up into the mouth while regurgitating. When you

have a check up at the dentist, this destruction is clearly visible to us. It can be somewhat uncomfortable to raise the topic with our patients but the damage they are doing to themselves is so severe and serious that we need to bring it to their attention and (hopefully!) intervene before teeth are destroyed beyond any possible repair. Purging is an act of self-destruction on many levels, but what happens to the teeth is unthinkable. So get some psychological help with this eating disorder before it is too late!

editWarnings Don't swallow toothpaste. Be sure to rinse and spit after

brushing. Less is more. Don't floss, brush teeth, or scrape tongue too

roughly. Over-brushing or rough flossing can cause gums to recede.

Some toothpastes are not recommended to be used daily if they are too strong - check the label of your toothpaste for details.

Never brush your teeth right after a big meal. Wait about a half an hour and then go. Otherwise, you could damage your enamel!

Make sure to brush and floss. And no, brushing real hard won't replace flossing.

Don't swallow mouth wash.

editThings You'll Need Toothpaste A good quality toothbrush, electric or manual, (soft bristled). Dental floss Tongue cleaner(Can use your toothbrush).

Sugar free chewing gum (for use during and after meals), can even use whitening gum!

Mouth wash (It can help restore some enamel). If you have weak enamel use pronamal toothpaste.

editRelated wikiHows How to Be a Normal Good Looking Girl from Inside and

Outside How to Use a Miswaak to Take Care of Your Teeth Naturally How to Floss How to Whiten Teeth With Baking Soda How to Ease a Toothache How to Deal With Dental Devices How to Choose the Right Chewing Gum How to Have Great Teeth

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Maintaining Good Dental Care HabitsYour dentist is only a partner in your dental health. You need to do your part at home to keep periodontal disease at bay.By Clare Kittredge

Medically reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH

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Taking care of your teeth at home can help you maintain your dental health and preventperiodontal, or gum, disease from developing.

Richard H. Price, DMD, spokesperson for the American Dental Association and a former clinical instructor at the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, says regular home care should include daily brushing and flossing.

“My advice is to brush thoroughly, at least twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening before

going to bed,” says Dr. Price. “Be sure to floss at least once a day. I do it after every meal when I can.”

Proper dental care at home, combined with seeing your dentist regularly, is your ticket to good dental health, says Price, who is retired from a 35-year private group dental practice in Newton, Mass.

Dental Health at Home

“Use products that have the ADA (American Dental Association) seal," says Price. "This means that the products — toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, etc. — are safe to use as directed and will keep your mouth healthy — no gum disease, no cavities."

Here are some basic principles to follow:

Spend at least three minutes brushing your teeth two times a day. Use a timer if you have to to ensure that you're spending enough time on your oral care routine.

Use floss at least once a day every day to clean between your teeth.

Buy ADA-approved dental cleaning tools and toothpaste.

“Basically, brush and floss, and do it correctly,” says Price.

The goal of regular home care is to combat the buildup of plaque in and around your teeth and gums, and fight bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease. Adults who neglect their teeth and who let plaque build up often develop infections in the delicate tissue around their teeth, Price explains.

A whole arsenal of dental health tools is available in drugstores to help you clean your teeth at home. These range from regular toothbrushes to power toothbrushes, inter-dental cleaners (picks, etc.), waxed and unwaxed floss, oral irrigators, and mouth rinses. You should ask your dentist which of these tools you might want to include in your daily cleaning routine.

Consequences of Poor Oral Hygiene

Poor oral hygiene invites plaque to accumulate around the base of your teeth and gum line, causing your gums to become red and inflamed.

"Plaque is the bacteria-laden film that, if allowed to accumulate on teeth and gums, will cause tooth decay and gum disease," Price explains.

If you neglect the care of your teeth at home and fail to go to the dentist regularly, accumulated plaque could potentially lead to the development of empty spaces around your teeth. These spaces could eventually lead to the destruction of bone and other fragile tissues supporting your teeth, and you could lose your teeth.

The good news is that being diligent about your dental health care and getting regular dental checkups can prevent plaque from forming and even reverse early gum disease. "A plaque-free mouth is a healthy mouth,” says Price. Along with regular dental checkups, “proper

bushing and flossing are the only effective ways I know of preventing plaque buildup.”

This section created and produced exclusively by the editorial staff of EverydayHealth.com. © 2010 EverydayHealth.com; all rights reserved.

Articles in Basics Beyond Teeth: What's Inside Your Mouth The Four Types of Teeth and How They Function Choosing a Toothbrush: Manual vs. Electric Maintaining Good Dental Care Habits The Link Between Oral Hygiene and Overall Health Toothbrush Tips to Keep Your Teeth in Shape A Guide to Flossing Your Teeth Tobacco Use and Your Oral Health Choosing a Mouth Rinse That's Right for You A Guide to Nighttime Oral Care 7 Steps to a Better Smile Toothpaste 101 Do Ergonomic Toothbrushes Clean Teeth Better? Your Dental Health Glossary

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Taking Care of Your TeethTeeth For A LifetimeThanks to better at-home care and in-office dental treatments, more people than ever before are keeping their teeth throughout their lives. Although some diseases and conditions can make dental disease and tooth loss more likely, most of us have a good deal of control over whether we keep our teeth into old age.The most important thing you can do to maintain good oral health is to brush and floss your teeth regularly.Most mouth woes are caused by plaque, that sticky layer of microorganisms, food particles and other organic matter that forms on your teeth. Bacteria in plaque produce acids that cause cavities. Plaque also leads to periodontal (gum) disease, a potentially serious infection that can erode bone and destroy the tissues surrounding teeth.The best defense is to remove plaque daily before it has a chance to build up and cause problems. Brushing removes plaque from the large surfaces of the teeth and, if done correctly, from just under the gums. Flossing removes plaque between teeth.BrushingMost of us learned to brush our teeth when we were children and have kept the same technique throughout our lives. Unfortunately, many of us learned the wrong way. Even if we learned the correct method, it's easy to become sloppy over the years. Brushing correctly isn't instinctive. Getting the bristles to remove plaque without damaging your gums is a little trickier than you might think.There are different ways to brush teeth, and your dentist or dental hygienist can show you the method that he or she feels would be best for you. The modified Bass technique is among the most popular for adults and is very effective in removing plaque above and just below the gum line. Children, however, may find it difficult to move the toothbrush this way. A dentist or dental hygienist can explain to your child the best way to brush. Parents should supervise their children's oral hygiene

until age 9 or 10.Here are a few general pointers about brushing:

Brush at least twice a day — many oral-health-care professionals recommend brushing just before going to bed. When you sleep, saliva decreases, leaving the teeth more vulnerable to bacterial acids. Teeth should also be brushed in the morning, either before or after breakfast, depending on your schedule. After breakfast is ideal so food particles are removed. But if you eat in your car, at work or skip breakfast entirely, make sure you brush in the morning to get rid of the plaque that built up overnight.Brush no more than three times a day — brushing after lunch will give you a good mid-day cleaning. Remember, though, that brushing too often can cause gums to recede over time.Brush lightly — brushing too hard can cause gums to recede. Plaque attaches to teeth rather like jam sticks to a wooden spoon. It can't be totally removed by rinsing, but just a light brushing will do the trick. Once plaque has hardened into calculus (tartar), brushing can't remove it, so brushing harder won't help. Try holding your toothbrush the same way you hold a pen. This encourages a lighter stroke.Brush for at least two minutes — set a timer if you have to, but don't skimp on brushing time. Longer is fine, but two minutes is the minimum time needed to adequately clean all your teeth. Many people brush for the length of a song on the radio. That acts as a good reminder to brush each tooth thoroughly.Have a standard routine for brushing — try to brush your teeth in the same order every day. Some oral health-care professionals feel that this helps patients remember to brush all areas of their mouths. If you do this routinely, it eventually will become second nature. For example, brush the outer sides of your teeth from left to right across the top then move to the inside and brush rights to left. Repeat the pattern for your lower teeth.Always use a toothbrush with "soft" or "extra soft" bristles — the harder the brush, the greater the risk of harming gum tissue.

Change your toothbrush regularly — as soon as the bristles begin to splay, the toothbrush loses its ability to clean properly. Throw away your old toothbrush after three months or when the bristles flare, whichever comes first. If you find your bristles flaring much sooner than three months, you may be brushing too hard. Try easing up.Choose a brush that has a seal of approval by the American Dental Association — oral health-care professionals say, "It's not the brush, it's the brusher," meaning that the exact type of brush you use isn't nearly as important as your brushing technique and diligence. Any approved brush will be a good tool, but you have to know how to use it.Electric is fine, but not always necessary — electric or power-assisted toothbrushes are a fine alternative to manual brushes. They are especially useful for people who are less than diligent about proper brushing technique or for people with physical limitations that make brushing difficult. As with manual brushes, choose soft bristles, brush for at least two minutes and don't press too hard or you'll damage your gums.Choose the right toothpaste for you — it can be overwhelming to face the huge number of toothpaste choices in the average supermarket. Remember, the best toothpaste for you may not be the best toothpaste for someone else.

Ask your dental hygienist or dentist what the greatest concerns are for your mouth. Toothpastes don't merely clean teeth anymore. Different types have special ingredients for plaque control, tartar control, whitening, gum care or desensitizing teeth. People who tend to build up tartar quickly may want to use a tartar-control toothpaste, whereas someone who gets tooth stains may want a whitening toothpaste. Whitening toothpastes will remove only surface stains, such as those caused by smoking, tea or coffee. To whiten teeth that are stained at a deeper level, talk with your dentist. Your needs will likely change as you get older, so don't be surprised if your hygienist recommends a type of toothpaste you haven't used before. Look for the ADA seal of approval, which assures that the toothpaste has met the standards set by the American

Dental Association. Once these conditions are met, choose the toothpaste that tastes and feels best. Gel or paste, wintergreen or spearmint — these work alike, so let personal preference guide your decision. Some people find certain ingredients irritating to teeth, cheeks or lips. If you find that your teeth have become more sensitive or that your mouth is irritated after brushing, try changing toothpastes. If the problem continues, see your dentist.How To BrushModified Bass brushing technique:

Hold the head of the toothbrush horizontally against your teeth with the bristles part way on the gumsTilt the brush head to about a 45-degree angle, so the bristles are pointing under the gum lineMove the toothbrush in very short horizontal strokes so the tips of the bristles stay in one place, but the head of the brush waggles back and forth. Or use tiny circular motions. This allows the bristles to slide gently under the gum. Do this for about 20 strokes. This assures that adequate time will be spent cleaning away as much plaque as possible. Note: this is a very gentle motion. In healthy gums, this should cause no pain. Brushing too vigorously or with large strokes can damage gum tissueRoll or flick the brush so that the bristles move out from under the gum toward the biting edge of the tooth. This helps move the plaque out from under the gum lineRepeat for every tooth, so that all tooth surfaces and gum lines are cleanedFor the insides of your front teeth, where the horizontal brush position is cumbersome, hold the brush vertically instead. Again, use gentle back and forth brushing action and finish with a roll or flick of the brush toward the biting edgeTo clean the biting or chewing surfaces of the teeth, hold the brush so the bristles are straight down on the flat surface of the molarsGently move the brush back and forth or in tiny circles to clean the entire surface. Move to a new tooth or area until all teeth

are cleanedRinse with water to clear the mouth of food residue and removed plaqueYou can clear even more bacteria out of your mouth by brushing your tongue. With your toothbrush, brush firmly but gently from back to front. Do not go so far back in your mouth that you gag. Rinse again

FlossingMany people never learned to floss as children. But flossing is critical to healthy gums and it's never too late to start. A common rule of thumb says that any difficult new habit becomes second nature after only three weeks. If you have difficulty figuring out what to do, ask your dentist or dental hygienist to give you a personal lesson.Here are a few general pointers about flossing:

Floss once a day — although there is no research to recommend an optimum number of times to floss, most dentists recommend a thorough flossing at least once a day. If you tend to get food trapped between teeth, flossing more often can help remove itTake your time — flossing requires a certain amount of dexterity and thought. Don't rushChoose your own time — although most people find that just before bed is an ideal time, many oral-health-care professionals recommend flossing any time that is most convenient to assure that you will continue to floss regularly. Choose a time during the day when you can floss without hasteDon't skimp on the floss — use as much as you need to clean both sides of every tooth with a fresh section of floss. In fact, you may need to floss one tooth several times (using fresh sections of floss) to remove all the food debris. Although there has been no research, some professionals think reusing sections of floss may redistribute bacteria pulled off one tooth onto another toothChoose the type that works best for you — there are many different types of floss: waxed and unwaxed, flavored and

unflavored, ribbon and thread. Try different varieties before settling on one. People with teeth that are closely spaced will find that waxed floss slides more easily into the tight space. There are tougher shred-resistant varieties that work well for people with rough edges that tend to catch and rip floss

How To FlossHow you hold the floss is a matter of personal preference. The most common method is to wind the floss around the middle fingers then pull it taut and guide it with your index fingers. You also can wind it around your index fingers and guide it with your thumb and middle fingers or simply hold the ends of the floss or use a floss-guiding tool. (If you have a fixed bridge, a bridge threader can help guide floss under the bridge for better cleaning.) How you hold the thread is not as important as what you do with it. If you can't settle in on a good method, ask your dentist or hygienist for suggestions.

Hold the floss so that a short segment is ready to work withGuide the floss gently between two teeth. If the fit is tight, use a back-and-forth motion to work the floss through the narrow spot. Do not snap the floss in or you could cut your gumsHold the floss around the front and back of one tooth, making it into a "C" shape. This will wrap the floss around the side edge of that toothGently move the floss toward the base of the tooth and up into the space between the tooth and gumMove the floss up and down with light to firm pressure to skim off plaque in that area. Do not press so hard that you injure the gumRepeat for all sides of the tooth, including the outermost side of the last tooth. Advance the floss to a clean segment for each tooth edge

Other Ways To Clean Between The TeethMany people have larger spaces between their teeth and need additional tools, called interdental cleaners, to remove food particles and bacterial plaque adequately. You may have larger

spaces that need extra care if you have had gum surgery or if you have teeth that are missing or out of alignment.Small interdental brushes are tiny bristle or filament brushes that can fit between teeth and come in a variety of sizes and handle designs. These brushes clean better than floss when the gum tissue does not completely fill the space between your teeth. These little brushes also can help people with orthodontic bands on their teeth to remove bacterial plaque from around the wires and brackets.Another tool for cleaning between teeth are wooden interdental cleaners. These long, triangular strips of wood can be softened and used to clean between teeth.You can find these interdental cleaners at most drugstores and grocery stores. Your dentist or dental hygienist can show you how to use these cleaners to remove plaque between your teeth.Other Cleaning ToolsTo supplement your at-home brushing and flossing, your dentist or dental hygienist may suggest one or more of the following:

Oral irrigators — these electrical devices pump water out in a slim steady or pulsating stream. Although they do not seem to remove plaque that is attached to the tooth well, they are very effective at flushing out food and bacteria byproducts in periodontal pockets or that get caught in orthodontic appliances. They are particularly useful for delivering medication to hard-to-reach areas. For example, prescription antibacterial rinses can be sprayed into gum pockets with an oral irrigator. Irrigators should be used in addition to brushing and flossing, not as an alternative.Interdental tip — these soft, flexible rubber nibs are used to clean between the teeth and just below the gum line. Plaque and food debris can be removed by gently running the tip along the gum line.Mouthwashes and rinses — as with toothpaste, your choice of mouthwashes or rinses will be guided by your personal mouth care needs. Over-the-counter rinses are available to freshen the breath, add fluoride or kill plaque bacteria that cause

gingivitis. Some mouthwashes are designed to help loosen plaque before you brush. Ask your dentist or dental hygienist to recommend the type of rinse that would be best for you. If you need to avoid alcohol, read ingredient labels carefully. Many over-the-counter mouthwashes contain significant amounts of alcohol. In some cases, the dentist might prescribe a stronger fluoride or antibacterial rinse.

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