如何正确清洁牙齿

You need to systematically go round all the surfaces of your teeth with fluoride toothpaste, for at least two minutes, twice a day. Unfortunately, we live such busy lives that putting two minutes aside feels like a lifetime for some people.

你需要有系统地使用氟化物牙膏绕你牙齿的所有表面，持续至少两分钟，一天两次。不幸的是，我们过着忙碌的生活，所以留出两分钟对一些人来说就像一辈子一样。

Your teeth tend to be a bit softer just after eating, so wait at least half an hour. Then brush all along the gum line with a little scrubbing action. Don't press too hard, or to be too light.

吃完东西后，你的牙齿会变软一点，所以至少要半个小时后才能刷牙。然后沿着牙龈线轻轻洗刷一下，不要太用力，也不要太轻。

It is very important that you remove the bacteria – the dental plaque – from your teeth. If you don't remove that, your gums will get irritated, then bleed. Some people think this means they need to let them heal, but all that happens is the bacteria stay on your teeth. If you want to be sure you're doing it effectively, buy some plaque-disclosing tablets from the chemist, which will stain the bacteria that remain.

清除牙齿上的细菌（牙垢）十分重要，如果你不处理它们，你的牙龈就会发炎，然后开始出血。某些人认为只需要等着伤口愈合就行了，其实则不然，牙齿上的细菌才是导致牙龈出血的原因所在。如果你想确认一下牙齿是不是刷干净了，仅需从药店买一些牙菌斑显色剂就行，这样就能看到残留的牙垢了。

There is some evidence that small-headed electric toothbrushes tend to be a bit better than manual brushes – but make sure you still use them in a systematic way.

有证据表明小型电动牙刷比起我们平时用的牙刷更有清洁力度，但是也要确保你仍然使用一个科学系统的方法去使用电动牙刷。

Brushing your teeth fights gum disease; fluoride toothpaste stops the decay. Spit the toothpaste out but don't rinse out. Mouthwash by itself is not going to do the job that brushing with toothpaste does. If you do want to use mouthwash, again spit rather than rinse.

刷牙可以预防牙龈疾病；含氟牙膏可以防止蛀牙。把牙膏吐出来，但不要冲洗干净。漱口水本身并不能起到牙膏刷牙的作用。如果你想用漱口水，反复作用后再吐出。

Ask your dentist or hygienist about flossing. For most people, good brushing will be enough. Others may be more susceptible to gum disease and have to do more, such as using interdental brushes (for gaps between teeth) and floss (where your teeth have tight contact).

可以咨询牙医或卫生员关于使用牙线的问题。对大多数人来说，好好刷牙就足够了。其他可能更容易患牙龈疾病的人，则需要做更多。比如使用牙间刷(用于牙齿间隙)和牙线(牙齿紧密接触的地方)。