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M: | Now all the tartar is gone; your teeth are clean. I'd like you to come in again in six months. Between now and then, you need to make an effort to keep your teeth clean. |
W: | What should I do? |
M: | There are several things to do. First of all, be sure to brush at least twice a day, and floss your teeth every day. There are some other devices on the market that may help you; we'll talk about those later. The basic things to do are brushing and flossing. |
W: | I'm not sure how to do that. I've never flossed my teeth before. |
M: | Well, dental floss is a thin string. You can buy it at any drug store. I'll give you a sample when you leave. With the floss, you can drag the tartar from between your teeth at the gum line. |
W: | But what is tartar? |
M: | Tartar is the white gummy stuff that stays between your teeth on the gum line after eating. It's composed of bacteria, and that's what makes our teeth decay. |
W: | Oh, I guess I'd better start flossing right away. |
M: | Yes. Good. Flossing helps keep your teeth clean because it helps prevent the build-up of tartar. |
W: | OK. Can you show me again how to use it? |
M: | Sure. Take a piece of floss about this long and hold it like this in two hands. Here's a mirror. Now open your mouth again and watch me as I pull it between your teeth. |