How to brush your teeth properly

Brushing is a daily habit, but it is easy to miss the same areas each time. Cleaning thoroughly does not mean scrubbing harder or counting hundreds of brush movements. It means reaching every tooth surface with a technique you can use comfortably.

Start with the basics

Brush for about two minutes twice a day, including last thing before bed and on one other occasion. Your dental team may recommend additional cleaning for particular needs, such as fixed braces. Rinsing with water or mouthwash does not replace brushing.

Adults should generally use toothpaste containing 1,350–1,500 ppm fluoride, unless a dentist prescribes a different strength. After brushing, spit out the excess without rinsing with water. This leaves fluoride on your teeth. If you use mouthwash, use it at a different time.

A timer can help you spend enough time on the task, but time alone does not tell you whether you have cleaned everything. If one area is difficult to reach, ask a dentist or hygienist to show you how.

Work around your mouth systematically

Choose a small brush head that reaches the back teeth comfortably. A manual or electric toothbrush can be effective. Soft or medium bristles suit most people; avoid pressing so hard that the bristles splay against the teeth.

With a manual brush, use gentle, controlled movements along the gumline and across the teeth. With an electric brush, follow the instructions for that brush head rather than adding vigorous scrubbing. Whichever you use, cover:

• the outside surfaces facing your cheeks and lips;
• the inside surfaces facing your tongue and palate;
• the biting surfaces and the backs of your last teeth.

Dentists teach several brushing techniques. There is no single method that is best for everyone, and you do not need a fixed number of repeated strokes to make brushing worthwhile. Your technique can be adapted for recession, braces, limited hand movement or other needs.

Replace a worn or splayed brush head rather than trying to clean harder with it. Gentle tongue cleaning may help with bad breath, but there is no need to scrub the roof of your mouth as part of cleaning your teeth.

Clean between your teeth too

A toothbrush cannot reliably reach all the surfaces between neighbouring teeth. Clean these spaces daily with interdental brushes where they fit, or floss for tighter contacts. Ask for help choosing the right sizes and avoid forcing a brush through a narrow gap.

Our guide to flossing explains a gentle technique. If your gums bleed regularly, keep cleaning carefully and arrange a dental check; do not respond by scrubbing harder.

Fit the routine to your needs

Frequent acidic drinks, reflux or vomiting can contribute to tooth wear. Reducing acid exposure and getting advice about its cause matter more than applying one fixed waiting time after every meal. If wear or sensitivity is a concern, ask your dentist about your routine.

Children need age-appropriate amounts of toothpaste and help with brushing. See our guide to children’s dental care for more detail.

Regular reviews help identify problems and refine your technique, but cannot guarantee that you will never need treatment. To discuss your cleaning routine or a change in your teeth or gums, contact our team.