Brushing & Flossing

Keep your smile healthy

Brushing

The best way to ensure a clean and healthy smile is brushing and flossing. Food particles can accumulate on teeth and over time, turn into plaque. The bacteria that results from this accumulation can lead to gum disease, tooth decay and even loss of teeth. To avoid these problems, you should brush for 2-3 minutes each time and be sure to brush at least 2 times a day. Parents should help their children with brushing until age 8. As soon as the bristles of a toothbrush start to wear down or fray, replace your toothbrush with a new one. Tell your child not to swallow any toothpaste; rinse their mouth thoroughly with water after brushing.

Teeth diagram

Flossing

For areas between the teeth and below the gumline where a toothbrush can’t reach, dental floss is used to remove food particles and plaque. It is important to floss between your child’s teeth every day. We recommend flossing at night to make sure their teeth are squeaky clean before they go to bed. When you first begin flossing, the gums may bleed a little. If the bleeding does not go away after the first few times, let a staff member know at your child’s next dental appointment.