Where There Is No Dentist 2012 71
CLEANING BETWEEN THE TEETH IS VERY IMPORTANT
Here are three ways to clean between the teeth:
1. Push the hairs of a toothbrush between the teeth, and sweep the bits
of food away.
2. Remove the stem from a palm leaf. Use the thinner end and move it
gently in and out between the teeth.
Rub the stem against
one tooth and then
the other. This way,
you clean the sides of
both teeth.
3. Use some thin but strong thread or string. String can be the best
method of all—but you must be careful with it.
Get some thin cotton rope
used for fishing nets. Unwind
and use one strand of it.
Buy and use dental floss.This
OR is a special kind of string for
cleaning between the teeth.
Be careful! The string can hurt your gums if you do not use it correctly.
The next page shows how to use the string, but the best way to Iearn
how to ‘floss’ your teeth is to have someone show you. Ask a
dental worker who has experience.