How to Brush Your Teeth Properly (2024)

FAQs

How to Brush Your Teeth Properly? ›

The proper brushing technique is to:

However, brushing isn't just about quantity; it's also about quality. For the best cleaning action, hold your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle and focus on the gum line. Use gentle circular motions to brush the outsides, insides, and chewing surfaces of every tooth.

2 minutes—2 times a day

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends the 2/2 rule: brush for 2 minutes in the morning and 2 minutes at night with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.

Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Clean between teeth regularly, aiming for once a day. Use dental floss or a special brush or wooden or plastic pick recommended by a dental professional.

The brushing method recommended to general persons in Korea is the 3-3-3 brushing method campaign, which involves only toothbrushing behavior (the time and frequency); 3-3-3 means brushing one's teeth 3 times per day, within 3 minutes after having a meal, for at least 3 minutes each time.

Don't rinse with water straight after toothbrushing

After brushing, spit out any excess toothpaste. Don't rinse your mouth immediately after brushing, as it'll wash away the concentrated fluoride in the remaining toothpaste.

The ADA recommends that you start by positioning your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums. The correct technique includes brushing with a gentle back-and-forth motion, in short strokes, not wider than the width of a tooth. Don't brush back and forth across the width of your mouth with sweeping strokes.

Is It Better to Brush Your Teeth in the Morning or Night? While it's optimal to brush your teeth both in the morning when you wake up and at night before you go to bed, brushing at night is actually more important. During the day, the foods you eat leave particles and debris on your teeth that feed bacteria.

The reason why there is contention in the first place is because of the main ingredient that is present in your toothpaste: fluoride. The reason that dentists tell you to brush for two minutes is so that it gives the toothpaste and the fluoride enough time to work properly.

Why you shouldn't brush twice a day? ›

Abrasion – Dental abrasion occurs when something outside of the body wears away tooth enamel. This can happen when you brush too hard or too often. Teeth may appear worn, shiny, or have yellow or brown spots near the gums. Sensitivity – Overbrushing can also cause tooth sensitivity.

While it may be surprising, a study has found that flossing first followed by brushing with a fluoride toothpaste is more effective in removing interdental plaque than brushing first, flossing second. In addition, flossing before brushing results in greater fluoride retention between teeth.

When you're looking to protect your tooth enamel, brushing right after you wake up in the morning is better than brushing your teeth after breakfast. If you have to brush your teeth after breakfast, try to wait at least 30 minutes before you brush.

Your mouthwash is safe to use every day if the instructions recommend it. Mouthwashes can, however, be harmful if you use them more frequently than recommended. With that said, most mouthwashes can be used twice a day along with your regular oral hygiene routine.

As it turns out, it's actually more effective to floss, use mouthwash, then brush, according to dentists — and they don't recommend skipping any steps.

Your toothbrush should be aimed at 45 degrees inside your mouth as you brush your teeth. The reason for this specific angle is so that the toothbrush can more effectively clean your gum line. If your gums aren't properly cleaned each day, it can lead to gum infections or diseases.

As you lean forward at the sink, keep your head and breastbone up and your stomach muscles tight to maintain erect spinal posture. To lean forward, bend through your knees, hips, and ankles and stick out your bottom. Bend your knees and spread out your feet to get lower.

The most commonly recommended method is the Modified Bass technique, which involves holding the toothbrush at an angle so that the bristles point at your gum line and making short back-and-forth strokes, followed by sweeping the brush from under the gum toward the edge of your tooth.