Tip of the week: Four keys to cleaning teeth

Get over your toothpaste; Don’t work blind; Tongue and gums next; Pick helpful foods

Get over your toothpaste. “It’s your technique that removes bacteria, not the toothpaste you use.” Abrasive toothpastes can wear down tooth enamel, so consider brushing instead with just baking soda and water, provided your water’s fluoridated. “Fluoride is a must.”

Don’t work blind. Brush from the back teeth to the front and pull your lips aside as needed so you can see that you’re missing nothing: “The bristles should hit where the gum meets the tooth.”

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