Captain Supertooth cartoon character flying

Parents

How To Brush & Floss

Click here to download a printable version of these instructions.

A Message to Parents/Guardians:

You can make a powerful difference in the oral health of your child by:

  • Having your child brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
  • Helping your child floss once a day
  • Taking your child to the dentist for checkups every six months

The most effective way to teach good oral health habits is to brush and floss with your child. The diagrams on this page demonstrate proper brushing and flossing practices.

Post the Captain Supertooth toothbrushing chart in a prominent place where your child can check off each time he or she brushes. Come up with a special (sugar free!) reward for completing the whole month of brushing. The real reward is a healthy smile for a lifetime!



Brushing with your child

Try demonstrating for your child as you brush together.

Toothbrush at 45° angle on teethPlace bristles along the gumline at a 45° angle. Bristles should contact both the tooth surface and the gumline.

Toothbrush brushing side teethGently brush the outer tooth surfaces of 2-3 teeth using a vibrating back, forth & circular motion. Move brush to the next group of 2-3 teeth and repeat.

Toothbrush brushing inner surface of teethMaintain a 45° angle with bristles contacting the tooth surface and gumline. Gently brush using back, forth & circular motion along all of the inner tooth surfaces.

Toothbrush brushing behind front teeth on top and bottom of mouthTilt brush vertically behind the front teeth. Make several up & down strokes using the front half of the brush.

Toothbrush brushing along biting surface of teethPlace the brush against the biting surface of the teeth & use a gentle back & forth scrubbing motion. Brush the tongue from back to front to remove odor-producing bacteria.




Flossing with your child

Try demonstrating for your child as you floss together.

Illustration of hands holding dental flossWind 18" of floss around middle fingers of each hand. Pinch floss between thumbs and index fingers, leaving 1" - 2" %}" length in between. Use thumbs to direct floss between upper teeth.

Illustration of fingers flossing between top teethGently guide floss between the teeth by using a zig-zag motion. DO NOT SNAP FLOSS BETWEEN YOUR TEETH. Contour floss around the side of the tooth.

Illustration of fingers flossing between bottom teeth and under the gumlineSlide floss up and down against the tooth surface and under the gumline. Floss each tooth thoroughly with a clean section of floss.


Click here to download a printable version of these instructions.