How to Brush Your Teeth the Right Way

Not dental advice. This is general information and doesn't replace an exam. For pain, swelling, bleeding gums, a loose tooth or any change in your mouth, see a dentist.

Most people brush, but many brush for under a minute, press too hard, or skip the same spots every day. Good technique matters more than which brush you own.

The method

1. Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Children under three need only a smear the size of a grain of rice, and children three to six a pea-sized amount.
2. Angle the brush about 45° toward the gum line. Bristles should touch both the tooth and the edge of the gum.
3. Use short, gentle strokes, as if you were tickling the teeth rather than scrubbing them.
4. Brush every surface: the outside, the inside and the chewing surfaces. The inner surfaces of the lower front teeth and the backs of the molars are the most commonly missed.
5. Take two full minutes. Divide your mouth into four sections and spend about 30 seconds on each. A timer or a phone song helps.
6. Brush your tongue lightly, which reduces bacteria that contribute to bad breath.
7. Spit, don’t rinse. Rinsing straight away washes away the fluoride. A quick spit leaves a thin coat working on your teeth.

How often

Twice a day, in the morning and before bed. Bedtime is the one that matters most, because saliva flow drops overnight and plaque has more time to do damage.

Common mistakes

• Brushing too hard. More pressure doesn’t mean cleaner teeth. It wears enamel and can cause gum recession.
• Brushing right after something acidic. After citrus, soda or wine, enamel is slightly softened. Many dentists suggest rinsing with water and waiting a while before brushing.
• Using a worn-out brush. Replace the brush or head about every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed.
• Skipping the space between teeth. A brush doesn’t reach there. See our guide on how to floss.

Manual or electric?

Both work if you use them properly. Research reviews have found powered brushes, especially oscillating-rotating ones, remove somewhat more plaque and reduce gum inflammation modestly better than manual brushes. The practical advantages are a built-in timer and often a pressure sensor. See our electric toothbrush guide.

When to call a dentist

Bleeding gums that continue after a week or two of careful brushing, tooth pain, persistent bad breath, loose teeth or sores that don’t heal need a professional look. Regular checkups and cleanings, usually once or twice a year, catch problems early.

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