Brushing
When you brush take about two minutes to do a thorough job.
Use a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Hold your toothbrush angled so the bristles are aimed towards the area where your tooth meets your gum.
Gently brush with short circular back-and-forth motions.
Brushing too hard or with hard bristles can hurt your gums.
You may also consider using an electric toothbrush, which can reduce plaque and gum disease more than does manual brushing. Remember to brush the outside, inside and chewing surfaces of your teeth, as well as your tongue.
Make sure to always rinse your toothbrush with water after brushing.
Store your toothbrush in an upright position and allow it to air-dry until using it again.
Try not to store your toothbrush them in closed containers, which can encourage the growth of bacteria, mold and yeast.
Replace your toothbrush every three months or sooner if the bristles flay or become irregular.
Flossing
The mouth is a tight fit you can't reach the bacteria in between your teeth and under the gum line with a toothbrush. That's why daily flossing is important. When you floss make sure to do so carefully but thoroughly.
Best practice is to measure about 18 inches of floss, an easy way to measure is wrapping floss four times around three fingers.
Wrap the floss around the middle finger of one hand and by the end the majority of the floss should have switch to the other hand.
Grip the floss tightly between thumbs and pointer fingers and carefully guide it between the teeth.
Try not to snap floss down, instead try to use a sawing motion to get down near the gumline.
Make sure to curve floss against one tooth, making a c shape to gently rub the side of the tooth in an up-and-down motion.
Make sure to do this on both sides of each tooth. If flossing is difficult, it is recommended you speak with your dentist to find the right kind of flossing for you. In addition to daily brushing and flossing, consider using mouthwash containing fluoride to promote oral health.
Try not to use toothpicks or other objects that could injure your gums and let in bacteria.
If you smoke, try to quit. Using tobacco increases your risk of many diseases, including gum disease and tooth loss.