How to Brush
Angulation
● 45* angle from gum line
● Make sure to brush into the gum line
Pressure
● Soft-light pressure
Motion
● Circular motion as if trying to flick plaque out of gum line
● NO scrubbing back and forth
● If using an electric toothbrush, gently hold in place at an angle and glide it along the gum lines
● Allow the vibrations to do the work, you do not need to scrub
How to Floss
Cupping method
● Grab about a foot long- forearms length of floss
● Wrap the floss around index fingers, leave ample space to insert string in between teeth
● Guide the string with your index finger to areas to floss
● Pull the string against the tooth, cupping the tooth, as if creating a C-shape
● Gently move the string up and down from the gum pocket to where the teeth make contact
● Without pulling the floss out between the teeth, gently lift the floss up and over the gum triangle to cup the neighboring tooth (*avoid the gum triangle to prevent damage)
● Repeat on the neighboring tooth surface
● Change the area of the floss periodically as fibers thin and flare / prevent spreading plaque
● Make sure to floss behind the last tooth even if there is no contact to another tooth!
How to Waterpik
● Insert the tip at a 45* angle from the tooth to ensure targeting in the gum pocket
○ Do not hold perpendicular to the tooth
● Glide the water pik along the gum line on both the inside and outside of the teeth.
○ along the cheek and tongue/palate side
● Lean over the sink to prevent water splashing everywhere
TIP:
● With the waterpik off, look in the mirror for the proper angulation
● Close eyes and memorize the feeling while tracing along the gum lines
● Then lean over sink and turn on
How to Tongue Scrape
● Starting from as far back as you can tolerate
● Gently slide the tongue scraper down towards tip of tongue
● Repeat until no more plaque/biofilm comes off
● Rinse after each stroke to prevent spreading of bacteria
● Do NOT scrub tongue – this will cause the cells to over grow creating a hairy tongue
*Best to do the moment you wake up before drinking anything to avoid drinking bacteria (your tongue detoxes toxins while you sleep)
