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- Use a soft-bristled brush that fits your mouth.
- Use toothpaste with fluoride to help protect your teeth from
decay.
- Place the brush where the gum meets the tooth, with the
bristles at a 45-degree angle to your teeth so they get under the
gum line.
- Move the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes.
Be gentle; brushing vigorously can actually injure the gums and
make them more susceptible to periodontal disease.
- Brush both the inner and outer surfaces of the teeth, and the
broad chewing surfaces with the entire brush.
- To clean the inner surfaces of the front teeth, use the tip
of the brush in gentle up-and-down strokes.
- Brush for at least 2 minutes.
- Scrub your tongue for about 30 seconds to remove even more
bacteria.
- If you dry brush first, follow the same brushing procedure
for about a minute and a half without paste, then brush again for
another 2 minutes.
- Rinse the toothbrush thoroughly.
- Change brushes every 3 months or so, or when the bristles
are bent or frayed, or after a cold or illness.
Sources:
American Academy of Periodontology www.perio.org
American Academy of Periodontology, Committee on Research, Science, and Therapy. Informational Paper: The pathogenesis of periodontal disease. J Periodontol 1999;70:457-470.
Oliver RC, Brown LJ, and Le H. Periodontal diseases in the United States population. J Periodontol 1998;69:269-278.
Reviewed Web Sites on Periodontal Disease
Want to learn more about periodontal disease? Then check out these articles in our Lifestyle forum:
Dental Health Tips
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Causes and Risk Factors of Periodontal Disease
Do You Have Periodontal Disease?
How Serious Is Periodontal Disease?
Treating Periodontal Disease
How to Brush Correctly
How to Floss Correctly
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