Plaque--that layer of living and dead bacteria that covers your teeth in a sticky film--isn't just a nuisance: an abundance of plaque on your teeth can also lead to tooth and gum problems down the line. And after about two weeks, plaque becomes hard tartar, which is all but impossible to remove, outside of a lovely trip to the dentist. But plaque can be stopped before it gets that far.
Instructions
1. When choosing a toothbrush, buy small: smaller brushes can reach all sides of your teeth, including the tiny crevices easily congregates. Choose a brush with soft, rounded (but not sculpted) bristles--these are still tough on plaque, but gentle on your tooth's enamel.
2. Hold your brush like a pen, and turn your brush so that your bristles meet the gum line at at a 45-degree angle. Brush in small circles--focus on one or two teeth at one time. Pay special attention to the back of the , where plaque most often collects due to neglect. Brush for at least two minutes. Most dentists average anywhere from two to four.
3. Supplement your toothbrushing with an anti-plaque mouthwash, like Listerine. Additionally, swish some water after every meal, to remove food debris that might later become plaque. You may also want to invest in a dental water spray, which gently hoses down your teeth and gums.
4. Floss well, and correctly. Wind the ends of the floss around the middle fingers of each hand, until you're left with an inch of floss between them. Pass the floss between two teeth, sawing back and forth gently, until you reach the gumline. At the gumline, curve the floss against the tooth and slide down, between the gum and tooth, until you feel resistance. Go gently, to not damage your gum tissue. Slide down on your upper teeth, and up on lower teeth.
5. Be resourceful, and diligent. When no floss is available, sewing thread works just as well. If you're out of toothpaste, wet your toothbrush with water alone. And if brushing isn't feasible, pop a stick of sugarless gum after a meal, and chew for twenty minutes: saliva will wash your mouth for you, dislodge stuck food, and neutralize the plaque's acid before it attacks your teeth.
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