Brushing and Flossing

Tips for brushing

Brush your teeth twice a day. Brush in the morning after breakfast and at night before bed. Brush for two minutes each time.

• Use a soft bristled toothbrush.
• Use toothpaste with fluoride.
• Get a new toothbrush every three to four months. Sooner, if bristles look worn or frayed. A worn-out toothbrush doesn't clean your teeth well.

Brushing tips for children

Clean your child's mouth every day. Do it even if they don't have teeth.

Your baby's first tooth may appear around six-months old. From birth, wipe the inside of your child's mouth with a clean washcloth or a finger brush. This will give your baby fresh breath. They will get use to you cleaning their mouth. When there are a few baby teeth, start using a small soft bristled toothbrush to clean them.

Make sure to:

• Use water only for children under three.
• Use a smear of toothpaste the size of a grain of rice for children between three and five.
• Parents should help children brush their teeth until they are eight or nine-years old.

Flossing

Floss your teeth to remove plaque from areas that your toothbrush can't reach.

Your toothbrush does not remove plaque and food debris from between your teeth or under the gums. Choose a type of floss that works well in your mouth (waxed, unwaxed or flavoured).