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3 Step Guide
Brushing, Flossing and Rinsing - Your 3 Step Guide to Healthy Teeth and Gums:
You can help prevent gum disease and tooth decay by thoroughly removing the plaque that builds up on your teeth and along the gum-line. A good daily oral hygiene routine is very important and can be achieved in three simple steps.
Step 1 - Brush for two minutes a day with a fluoride toothpaste:
  • Use a soft or medium toothbrush with synthetic bristles and a small head to reach into tight corners
  • Hold the brush at a 45 degree angle where the gum-line meets the teeth
  • Use small vibratory/circular movements and encourage the bristles to squeeze in between the teeth
  • Remember to clean all teeth and surfaces - outside, inside, biting surfaces and along the gum-line
  • If your gums bleed, don't stop brushing. This may be due to the early stages of gum disease and thorough brushing should help reverse this
  • If you still see bleeding after thoroughly brushing twice daily for two weeks, see your dentist or hygienist
  • Remember to replace your toothbrush at least every 3 months
Step 2 - Clean between the teeth at least once a day using floss, tape or an inter-dental brush:

There are some areas that a toothbrush cannot reach. Using dental floss or an inter-dental brush helps remove the plaque and particles of food from between the teeth and under the gumline.

Here are some tips for flossing effectively:
  • Take 30-40 cm of floss or tape and wrap around middle finger of each hand. Make sure floss is pulled tightly between fingers
  • Using thumbs and forefingers, gently slide floss between two teeth
  • Curve floss around one tooth in 'c' shape, move it as far as it will comfortably go under the gum-line, now draw it towards the biting surface of the tooth trying to scrape off any plaque
  • Now repeat this for the other tooth surface
  • Repeat for each tooth using clean floss as necessary
Flossing correctly is not easy and your dentist or hygienist can show you how to floss if you are unsure. Again, your gums may bleed a little when you first start cleaning between your teeth. Over time this will soon stop as the plaque is removed. If bleeding continues, visit your dentist or hygienist.

What are interdental brushes?
  • These look like miniature bottle brushes and are used for cleaning plaque from between your teeth
  • Choose a size that will fit between your teeth. Your dentist or hygienist can advise on the most appropriate for you
  • Slide the brush at right angles gently between your teeth. If it does not glide easily, try to work in gently or it may be necessary to use a smaller size
  • Move the brush back and forth to remove plaque
Step 3: Rinse twice a day after brushing with a good antiseptic mouthwash such as Listerine®:
  • Rinse twice daily after brushing to kill the bacteria that brushing and flossing may miss
  • Rinse with 20ml for 30 seconds, or as directed, ensuring that you thoroughly rinse the liquid around and between the teeth
  • Spit out the mouthwash
This product information is intended only for residents of the UK. Use only as directed.
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It is intended for a UK audience. Last updated on 4 April 2008