Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time. Set a stopwatch or timer to make sure you're giving your teeth enough attention. What type of toothbrush should I use?
Understanding the Context
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends a soft-bristled brush for removing plaque and food debris. When you want a whiter smile and fresher breath, brushing your teeth will help out as well as improve your overall health. Bacteria builds up on your teeth, which could lead to cavities, gum disease, or infection, but brushing gets rid of it so you have a clean, healthy mouth. Following a regular brushing routine is easy and has a lot of long-term benefits, and we’ll teach you how a few minutes each day can keep your teeth clean.
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Key Insights
Read on to learn how to brush your teeth correctly and maintain your oral hygiene.Apply a pea-sized amount ofBrush each tooth using short back-and-forth strokes or circular movements. Be sure to brush the front, back, and top of each tooth to remove plaque.Keep brushing for at least 2 minutes before spitting out the toothpaste. Rinse your mouth out with water or aSee full list on wikihow.comSqueeze a pea-sized amount of toothpaste onto your toothbrush.Applying too much toothpaste can cause it to foam up in your mouth, which may tempt you to finish brushing too early.Plus, extra toothpaste increases the risk of accidentally swallowing it and ingesting fluoride, which can cause an upset stomach.Brush your front teeth using circular movements.Position your toothbrush’s bristles on your gum line at a 45-degree angle. Gently brush with a short, circular motion to break up any plaque or residue that’s built up on the surface. Brush each tooth individually before moving on to the next one.Avoid brushing straight across your teeth from side-to-side and scrubbing too hard since you could damage your tooth enamel and cause your gums to recede.See full list on wikihow.comRinse your mouth with clean water.Take a sip of water from a disposable cup, or cup your hands under the faucet.
Important Details
Swish the water around your mouth for a few seconds to get rid of the residual toothpaste, and then spit it out.There's some debate on whether or not rinsing after brushing is recommended. Some experts recommend leaving the residual toothpaste in your mouth so the fluoride continues working after you finish brushing.Other studies have shown that rinsing after brushing has no significant impact on the effectiveness of brushing with a fluoride toothpaste.Rinse your toothbrush after each use.Hold your toothbrush under running water for a few seconds to remove any residual toothpaste and bacteria from the brush. Place your toothbrush upright when you’re finished so it has a chance to dry out. Otherwise, bacteria may form.See full list on wikihow.comToothbrushes with soft nylon bristles work the best forand cleaning debris off of your teeth.
Final Thoughts
Make sure the toothbrush fits comfortably in your hand, and has a head small enough to easily reach all of your teeth, especially the ones at the back. If you have difficulty fitting the toothbrush into your mouth, then it’s probably too big for you.Hard-bristled brushes can irritate your gums or scrub away tooth enamel if you apply too much pressure.are a great choice since they vibrate to break up more plaque and usually have built-in timers so you brush for the proper amount of time. However, a manual toothbrush works just as well.Avoid toothbrushes with natural bristles made from animal hair because these can harbor bacteria and must be replaced more frequently.Replace your toothbrush every 3–4 months.See full list on wikihow.comAug 12, 2025 · In this step-by-step guide, we’ll share how to brush your teeth effectively and give you helpful tips to promote your oral health. Gently brush back and forth using short, tooth-wide strokes. Use vertical up and down strokes to brush the inside surfaces of the front teeth. Brush the outside of the teeth, inside of the teeth, and the chewing surfaces.
Gently brush the tongue to remove bacteria and freshen breath. View allBrushing your teeth is an important part of your oral hygiene routine. Here you’ll find tips on the proper technique to brush your teeth. To brush your teeth correctly, spend at least two minutes using a recommended brushing technique, which includes 30 seconds brushing each section of your mouth (upper right, upper left, lower right and lower left), both morning and night. · In this step-by-step guide, we’ll share how to brush your teeth effectively and give you helpful tips to promote your oral health. Gently brush back and forth using short, tooth-wide strokes. Use vertical up and down strokes to brush the inside surfaces of the front teeth. Brush the outside of the teeth, inside of the teeth, and the chewing surfaces. Gently brush the tongue to remove bacteria and freshen breath. Brushing your teeth is an important part of your oral hygiene routine. Here you’ll find tips on the proper technique to brush your teeth. To brush your teeth correctly, spend at least two minutes using a recommended brushing technique, which includes 30 seconds brushing each section of your mouth (upper right, upper left, lower right and lower left), both morning and night.
