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You can keep your whole body healthy by brushing your teeth every day. It’s not just about keeping your mouth clean.

Brushing twice a day, for two minutes each time, is recommended by the American Dental Association.

It is important to brush correctly to eliminate plaque buildup and bacteria that can otherwise accumulate between your teeth and on your tongue. This prevents gum disease, tooth decay, and promotes a stronger immune system.

No matter what your circumstances are, we’ll show you how to brush correctly.

Brushing your teeth: what you need to know

Preparing the right tools is the first step to brushing correctly. You’ll need:

Brushes

Toothpaste with fluoride

Brush your teeth

(Optional) Mouthwash

It is recommended to replace your toothbrush every three to four months. If your toothbrush is overused, the bristles can fray and brushing becomes ineffective.

Most adults should use fluoride toothpaste approved by the American Dental Association.

Although some very young children shouldn’t use fluoride toothpaste, the American Dental Association still recommends:

A smear of fluoride toothpaste about the size of a rice grain can be used by children younger than 3 whose first teeth have appeared

Fluoride toothpaste can be used by children aged 3 to 6 by using a pea-sized amount

Younger kids can also use fluoride-free toothpaste if you’re concerned about them swallowing it.

Step-by-step instructions for brushing your teeth

It should take about two minutes to brush your teeth.

Brushing your teeth is as simple as using a nylon-bristled toothbrush with a plastic handle.

Practice timing yourself until you understand how long two minutes feels when you’re brushing.

Apply a small amount of toothpaste – about the size of a pea – to the toothbrush head. Lubricate your brush with water.

Brush your front teeth gently, short strokes with the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums.

Make sure to brush the upper chewing surfaces and the back molars of your teeth.

After brushing, brush your tongue to remove any bacteria or plaque that has accumulated there.

Rinse your mouth with cold water after spitting out toothpaste, saliva, and water.

Brushing your teeth with an electric toothbrush

When you brush your teeth with an electronic toothbrush head, the brush head rotates or vibrates automatically.

Rinse your toothbrush with water and add a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.

Start brushing your back bottom row of teeth at a 45-degree angle, holding the head at an angle toward your gums.

Using the rotating vibrating brush head, move methodically, one tooth at a time, buffing each tooth.

Repeat the process with the back top row of your teeth, cleaning and polishing each tooth individually.

Slowly move the electronic brush head across the surface of your tongue to stimulate and clean it.

After spitting out toothpaste, saliva, and water, rinse your mouth with cold water.

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Brushing your teeth with braces: how to do it

It’s pretty straightforward to brush your teeth with braces, but it does require a few extra steps.

Remove any rubber bands or removable parts of your braces. Rinse them thoroughly before reapplying them.

Using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and a little water, prepare your toothbrush.

Keep your braces clean, including under the wires and pins.

To prevent plaque and bacteria buildup, brush your braces’ actual wires to remove any food particles.

Spend at least two minutes brushing your teeth, moving from one side to the other.

Brush your tongue gently.

After spitting out any toothpaste and saliva, rinse your mouth with water and check your braces in the mirror.

Brushing your teeth with spacers

Your dentist will use spacers, also known as separators, to make room for braces and bands.

The most effective way to brush your teeth with spacers is to brush back-and-forth, not up-and-down. This will help keep the spacers in place.

Ensure all spacers are still in place after brushing.

After wisdom teeth removal, how to brush your teeth

When brushing your teeth after an extraction, such as wisdom tooth removal, you should take the following precautions:

Immediately after tooth removal, lubricate your toothbrush with cool, clean water. Do not use toothpaste.

Avoid brushing over the site where your tooth was removed. Avoid dislodging the blood clot and stitches.

Rinse gently with water after the first day after surgery to avoid dislodging the blood clot.

Brushing your children’s teeth

It is important to remember that children under the age of 3 may need to use fluoride-free toothpaste or a much smaller amount of fluoride toothpaste.

If your child is under 3 or above 3, use a soft, child-sized toothbrush, water, and a small amount of toothpaste.

Brush your child’s teeth slowly from back to front, and also brush the gums where teeth have not yet emerged.

Brush your child’s tongue and have them practice spitting out their toothpaste after rinsing their mouth.

Without toothpaste, here’s how to brush your teeth

Many alternatives to toothpaste have become popular in recent years. Some are better than others.

You may want to consider these ingredients if you need to travel and forget your toothpaste, or if you just want to try more holistic teeth cleaning options.

Oil from coconuts

Besides being antibacterial, coconut oil can dissolve plaque, making it a decent alternative to toothpaste. It even fights tooth decay and gum disease.

Coconut oil can be used regularly for “oil pulling” or brushing your teeth without much risk or drawback. However, fluoride should still be used in your toothpaste.

Charcoal activated

In most cases, people don’t keep extra activated charcoal tablets around, so if you’re stuck in a hotel late at night without toothpaste, this option might not work. Activated charcoal toothpaste and pure activated charcoal can, however, be effective in cleaning your teeth.

However, activated charcoal is abrasive and can wear down your enamel, so it shouldn’t be used regularly.

If you switch from fluoride toothpaste to this option, your teeth might be more susceptible to decay.

Soda baking

It is also effective at removing plaque. Baking soda is added to many commercial toothpastes to give them extra whitening power.

When you run out of toothpaste and are in a pinch, baking soda paste is a great option.

Unlike fluoride, baking soda lacks fluoride, so it doesn’t protect your enamel over time.

The takeaway

You might brush your teeth differently at different points in your life, but there’s no reason to avoid or skip brushing your teeth under any circumstance.

Good dental health and a lifetime smile begin with brushing twice a day for at least 2 minutes each time.

Medically reviewed on November 21, 2019

This article was reviewed as follows:

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What is more important?

You should brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes with a soft-bristled toothbrush as part of your general health and well-being. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends flossing at least once per day as well. What’s more important, brushing or flossing?

Flossing vs. brushing

For optimum oral health, brushing and flossing should be done together. Ann Laurent, DDS, of Dr. Ann Laurent’s Dental Artistry in Lafayette, Louisiana, explains, “Flossing and brushing are not either/or equations.”

When done correctly, flossing is more important than brushing, she says.

Brushing and flossing remove plaque buildup, which is comprised of active colonies of bacteria that eat and then excrete on your teeth. Flossing removes plaque only from the front and back surfaces.

Plaque can cause gum disease, such as gingivitis and periodontitis, if not removed from between your teeth and underneath your gums by flossing.

The basics of flossing

You must first learn how to floss correctly in order to reap the benefits of flossing.

As you floss, wrap the floss in a ‘c-shape,’ and cover as much surface area as possible on the tooth. You should cover about half the diameter of the tooth from each angle. Laurent recommends moving the floss up and down the outer surface of the tooth and under the gum line. As a result, you will be able to clean plaque from your teeth as well as underneath the gum line.”

According to a 2021 study, most people neglect brushing oral surfaces significantly and use floss insufficiently.

In a 2019 studyTrusted Source, proper dental flossing relies greatly on self-monitoring and correct technique.

Health benefits of flossing

As well as keeping your breath fresh and your teeth and gums healthy, proper oral hygiene may also help prevent periodontal disease from occurring. Because periodontal disease is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and diabetes, good oral hygiene may help maintain more than just your mouth’s health.

If you floss at least once a day, you’ll not only improve your smile, but your overall health as well.

The 11 best ways to keep your teeth healthy

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Keep your teeth healthy

Even if you’re told that you have nice teeth, it’s important to take the right steps every day to maintain them and prevent problems from occurring. If you want healthy teeth, it takes a lifetime of care. If you want to achieve this, you need to get the right oral care products and be mindful of your daily habits.

Brush your teeth before going to bed

While brushing your teeth twice daily is generally recommended, many of us fail to do so at night. Brushing before bed removes germs and plaque that accumulate during the day.

Online shopping for toothbrushes.

It is important to brush properly

Make sure your tongue isn’t neglected

When you brush your teeth, be sure to gently brush your tongue as well. Not only can this cause bad breath, but it can also cause other oral health problems.

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Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste

The most important thing to look for in toothpaste is fluoride. No matter which version you choose, it should contain fluoride.

Though fluoride has come under scrutiny for its impact on other health areas, it remains an important part of oral health. The reason for this is that fluoride helps prevent tooth decay. In addition to providing a protective barrier for your teeth, it fights germs that can cause decay.

Here you can purchase fluoride toothpaste.

Flossing is just as important as brushing

There are many people who brush regularly but fail to floss. As Jonathan Schwartz, DDS points out, flossing isn’t just for getting food or broccoli out of between your teeth. In addition to stimulating the gums, reducing plaque and reducing inflammation, it also helps lower inflammation.

These benefits can usually be obtained by flossing once a day.

Check out this selection of dental floss.

Don’t let flossing difficulties deter you

If flossing is difficult for you, look for tools that can assist you. Ready-to-use dental flossers from the drugstore can help.

Mouthwash is a good option

Ads might give the impression that mouthwash is required for optimal oral wellbeing, yet many are unaware of its functioning. According to Schwartz, it contributes on three fronts; it lowers acidity in the mouth, clears difficult-to-brush gumlines and mouths and remineralizes teeth. “Mouthwashes can be a great tool to revitalize balance” he adds. “In general, senior citizens and youngsters who have difficulties brushing and flossing can gain a lot from its use.”

Depending on your dentist’s recommendations, there are certain mouthwash brands that are best for children, and those with sensitive teeth. Prescription mouthwash is also available.

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Make sure you drink enough water

Consume crunchy fruits and vegetables

While ready-to-eat foods are convenient, they may not be the best choice when it comes to your teeth. Fresh, crunchy produce contains more fiber, and it’s also a healthier choice for your teeth. Schwartz advises parents to give their kids harder-to-eat foods at a young age. “Beware of overly mushy processed foods, stop cutting things into tiny pieces, and get your jaws moving!”

The consumption of sugary and acidic foods should be limited

Sugar breaks down into acid in your mouth, which then erodes your teeth’s enamel. It doesn’t hurt to be mindful of these foods, since you don’t necessarily have to avoid them altogether. Acidic fruits, teas, and coffee can also wear down tooth enamel.

Visit your dentist at least twice a year

If your dental insurance covers more frequent dental checkups, take advantage of it. This is particularly important if you have a history of dental problems, such as gingivitis or frequent cavities.

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