How to brush your teeth properly: 10 rules for brushing your teeth

Contents:

• When to brush your teeth: before or after eating
• How many times a day you should brush your teeth
• How many minutes you should brush your teeth
• Which toothbrush is best for brushing your teeth
• How often you should replace your toothbrush
• How to brush your teeth properly
• 10 rules for brushing teeth from a dentist
• Care after brushing: mouthwash, floss, irrigator
• Common mistakes when brushing teeth
• What happens if you do not brush your teeth regularly

Proper oral hygiene is one of the most important conditions for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Many people believe that it is enough simply to brush their teeth twice a day, but technique, procedure duration, choice of toothbrush, and additional care products also play an important role. The effectiveness of brushing depends on these factors.

In this article, we will explain how to brush your teeth properly: before or after eating, how long the procedure should take, and which mistakes should be avoided during daily care. We will also share dentists’ recommendations that help maintain oral health, reduce plaque buildup, and lower the risk of dental diseases.

When to brush your teeth: before or after eating

One of the most common questions patients ask dentists is how to brush your teeth properly: before or after eating. There is no universal answer for all situations, but most specialists recommend performing oral hygiene after breakfast. This approach helps remove food debris and bacterial plaque that accumulate after eating.

Doctors of the dentistry department at «Oxford Medical» note that it is also important to consider the composition of foods. If breakfast included acidic fruits, juices, or other acidic drinks, brushing your teeth immediately is not recommended. Acids temporarily soften the surface layer of enamel, so mechanical action with a toothbrush may contribute to its damage. In such cases, it is advisable to wait about 30 minutes after eating and only then perform hygiene procedures.

If it is not possible to brush your teeth after breakfast, it is acceptable to do so before eating. In this case, toothpaste helps reduce the number of bacteria in the oral cavity, while fluorides create additional protection for the enamel before contact with foods and drinks.

How many times a day you should brush your teeth

According to the recommendations of American Dental Association, it is optimal to perform oral hygiene twice a day using fluoride toothpaste. Morning brushing helps remove bacterial plaque that accumulates overnight, while evening brushing cleans the oral cavity from food debris and microorganisms that have formed during the day. Skipping evening hygiene is most often associated with an increased risk of tooth decay and inflammatory gum diseases.

In some cases, a dentist may recommend additional cleaning after lunch or snacks. However, this does not mean that a toothbrush and toothpaste must be used every time: after eating, it is often enough to rinse the mouth with water, use floss, or use an irrigator.

How many minutes you should brush your teeth

One of the most common questions about home hygiene is how long you should brush your teeth to effectively remove plaque while not injuring the enamel and gums. The optimal brushing duration is about two minutes twice a day.

This time is usually enough to thoroughly clean all tooth surfaces: outer, inner, and chewing surfaces. For convenience, dentists recommend conditionally dividing the oral cavity into four areas and spending about 30 seconds on each.

In practice, many people finish the procedure after only 30–60 seconds, without having enough time to properly clean hard-to-reach areas. As a result, some plaque remains near the gums, between the teeth, and on the chewing surfaces, which over time may contribute to the development of tooth decay and inflammatory processes.

Which toothbrush is best for brushing your teeth

The choice of toothbrush directly affects the quality of daily hygiene. In most cases, dentists recommend using toothbrushes with soft or medium-hard bristles. They effectively remove plaque and at the same time injure the gums and enamel less compared with hard models.

When choosing a toothbrush, it is worth paying attention not only to bristle hardness but also to the size of the brush head. It should be compact enough to easily reach the molars and hard-to-reach areas of the oral cavity. For most adults, a brush head about 2–3 centimeters long is optimal.

Electric toothbrushes can also be a good choice. According to Cochrane Library, they help remove plaque more effectively and reduce signs of gum inflammation compared with ordinary manual toothbrushes. Such brushes can be especially useful for children, people with braces, and patients who find it difficult to perform precise movements while brushing.

At the same time, the choice of hygiene products should always take into account individual features of the oral cavity. It is best to select them together with a doctor. During a consultation with a dentist, the doctor will assess the condition of the teeth and gums, then explain which toothbrush and toothpaste are best to choose, as well as whether it is advisable to use mouthwash, an irrigator, and floss.

How often you should replace your toothbrush

Even the highest-quality toothbrush loses its effectiveness over time. During regular use, the bristles gradually wear out, deform, and remove plaque worse from the surface of the teeth and along the gumline.

Doctors at «Oxford Medical» note: most dentists recommend replacing a toothbrush or an electric toothbrush head every 3–4 months. If the bristles have started to spread out, lost their shape, or become harder, the toothbrush should be replaced regardless of the period of use.

It is also important to store the toothbrush properly: after use, rinse it thoroughly with water, place it vertically with the bristles facing up, and do not store it in closed humid containers. This helps the bristles dry faster and reduces the accumulation of microorganisms on their surface.

How to brush your teeth properly

Many people devote only a few minutes a day to oral hygiene, but even this time is enough for quality cleaning if the correct technique is used. That is why it is important to understand not only how to brush your teeth, but also which movements to make with the toothbrush, which areas require special attention, and in what sequence cleaning should be performed.

During brushing, plaque must be removed from the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces. Special attention should be paid to the area near the gums, because this is where bacteria most often accumulate. Insufficient cleaning of this area can lead to gum inflammation, tartar formation, and other dental problems.

It is important to remember that even with proper home care, some plaque accumulates over time in hard-to-reach areas and turns into tartar. That is why dentists recommend undergoing professional teeth cleaning at least once every 6–12 months to maintain oral health and reduce the risk of developing dental diseases.

Main toothbrushing methods

There are several brushing methods that differ in the technique of toothbrush movements. All of them are aimed at removing plaque.

Main methods:

• Bass method. The toothbrush is placed at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the gumline. Short vibrating movements help clean areas near the necks of the teeth, where bacterial plaque most often accumulates. This technique is considered one of the most effective for preventing gum diseases.

• Leonard method. The toothbrush is held perpendicular to the tooth surface, and vertical movements are performed from the gums toward the cutting edge or chewing surface. This method helps remove plaque without excessive pressure on the gums. Short back-and-forth movements are used to clean the chewing surfaces.

• Fones circular method. During cleaning of the outer tooth surfaces, the jaws are closed, and wide circular movements are performed with the toothbrush. The method is considered simple to perform, so it is often recommended for children who are just developing proper oral hygiene skills.

For most adults, dentists most often recommend the Bass method or its modified versions. 

Step-by-step toothbrushing technique

To make cleaning as effective as possible, it is important to follow a certain sequence. The correct technique helps remove plaque thoroughly, avoid missing hard-to-reach areas, and maintain gum health.

How to brush your teeth properly — sequence of actions:

1. Place the toothbrush at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the gumline.

2. Start cleaning from the outer surface of the upper teeth, gradually moving from one side of the jaw to the other.

3. Clean the outer surface of the lower teeth with similar movements.

4. Move to the inner surface of the upper and lower teeth, paying special attention to the front teeth.

5. Clean the chewing surfaces with short back-and-forth movements.

6. Gently clean the tongue or use a special scraper to remove bacterial plaque.

7. If necessary, clean the interdental spaces with floss or an irrigator.

8. Spit out the remaining toothpaste and, if necessary, use mouthwash.

For those who are interested in how to brush their teeth properly so that there is no plaque, it is important to remember that not only technique matters, but also regular care. During each brushing, all tooth surfaces should be cleaned, and special attention should be paid to areas near the gums, where bacteria most often accumulate.

10 rules for brushing teeth from a dentist

Below are 10 rules that dentists recommend following:

1. Brush your teeth twice a day. Morning and evening brushing helps control the accumulation of bacterial plaque.

2. Spend at least two minutes on the procedure. Rushed brushing often leads to certain areas remaining insufficiently cleaned.

3. Use a toothbrush with soft or medium-hard bristles. Brushes that are too hard can injure the gums and contribute to enamel wear.

4. Clean all surfaces. During brushing, attention should be paid to the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces.

5. Do not press the toothbrush too hard. Excessive pressure does not improve cleaning but can damage the gums and hard tissues.

6. Clean your tongue regularly. Bacteria accumulate on its surface and may cause bad breath.

7. Do not forget about interdental spaces. Use floss or an irrigator to clean them.

8. Replace your toothbrush on time. It is recommended to do this every 3–4 months or earlier if the bristles have lost their shape.

9. Choose hygiene products individually. What suits one person may not be the best choice for another due to differences in the condition of the oral cavity.

10. Visit a dentist regularly. Preventive examinations help detect problems in time and maintain oral health.

Doctors at «Oxford Medical» recommend treating home hygiene as a daily investment in oral health. Following these simple rules helps reduce the risk of tooth decay, gum diseases, and other dental problems.

Care after brushing: mouthwash, floss, irrigator

A toothbrush cannot fully clean interdental spaces and areas along the gumline. That is why dentists recommend supplementing daily hygiene with other care products.

Using dental floss, an irrigator, and mouthwash complements daily toothbrushing and helps control plaque buildup more effectively. Such comprehensive care reduces the risk of developing gum diseases, including periodontitis.

Common mistakes when brushing teeth

Even regular toothbrushing does not always ensure high-quality oral hygiene. Problems are often caused by mistakes that a person repeats every day without even noticing. As a result, plaque accumulates, and the risk of tooth decay and gum diseases increases.

The most common mistakes are:

• brushing for too short a time — less than two minutes;

• excessive pressure on the toothbrush, which can injure the gums and contribute to enamel wear;

• cleaning only the front surface of the teeth without proper attention to the inner and chewing surfaces;

• skipping interdental spaces during daily hygiene;

• using a toothbrush with worn bristles;

• irregular brushing or skipping the evening procedure;

• incorrect choice of hygiene products without considering the condition of the oral cavity;

• lack of tongue cleaning, as bacteria also accumulate on its surface.

A separate mistake is ignoring symptoms that may indicate dental diseases. If bleeding gums, bad breath, or increased tooth sensitivity regularly occur during brushing, a visit to the doctor should not be postponed. In some cases, such symptoms may indicate inflammatory processes that require timely gum treatment or dental treatment.

Doctors at «Oxford Medical» recommend periodically assessing home hygiene skills and, if necessary, clarifying brushing technique during preventive dental examinations. This makes it possible to correct mistakes in time and maintain oral health.

What happens if you do not brush your teeth regularly

Regular toothbrushing is necessary to remove bacterial plaque that constantly forms on the enamel surface. If daily hygiene is neglected, plaque accumulates and may eventually turn into tartar, creating favorable conditions for the development of dental diseases.

Lack of regular oral care can lead to the following consequences:

• bad breath;

• accumulation of soft plaque and tartar;

• development of tooth decay;

• increased sensitivity;

• bleeding and inflammation of the gums;

• gum recession (exposure of the necks of the teeth);

• development of periodontitis and other periodontal diseases;

• tooth mobility and tooth loss in advanced cases.

In addition, plaque and tartar buildup may lead to gradual darkening of the enamel and deterioration in the appearance of the smile. In such cases, even thorough home hygiene does not allow the original tooth shade to be restored. Professional teeth whitening may be needed for this.

Dentists note that proper toothbrushing is not only a daily habit but also an important part of preventing tooth decay and gum diseases. Following the correct technique, replacing the toothbrush regularly, and using additional hygiene products help remove plaque effectively and maintain oral health.

The information in the article is provided for informational purposes and is not an instruction for self-diagnosis or treatment. If symptoms of a disease appear, you should consult a doctor.

Sources:

American Dental Association

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

Cochrane Library