Adult Teeth

Better Brushing

5 Steps to Better Brushing

You've been doing it almost your whole life — brushing your teeth! But are you doing it the right way? Here are some tips for better brushing.

Start with the Right Equipment
First, make sure you're using a brush with a head that's small enough to reach all parts of your mouth. Always choose soft or medium bristles and replace your toothbrush about once every three months.

Use Enough Paste
Your squeeze of paste should cover the length of your brush's head (an amount known as a "nurdle").

Work the Angle
Tilt your brush to a 45-degree angle and work from the gum line to teeth, brushing with rolling, circular strokes. Be gentle - brushing too forcefully can damage enamel and gums.

Know Your Habits
Did you know that most people start out brushing harder and then let up? They also usually start in the same place each time — right-handers in the upper left and left-handers in the upper right. That can cause excess wear on certain teeth.

One method is to start with the outer areas of your upper back teeth. They're often missed and tend to have the most plaque build up. Or, you may want to change where you start each time to avoid over-wear on any one area.

Wherever you start — remember to brush the inner and outer surfaces as well as the chewing surfaces of your teeth. Brushing your tongue gently from back to front helps remove that white film (containing bacteria) that can cause bad breath.

Brush for 2 Minutes for Stronger Teeth
You've probably heard your dentist say that you should brush for at least two minutes, every time. And there are good reasons why you should. The average person only bushes for about 45 seconds. Clinical studies have shown that brushing for 2 minutes removes 26% more plaque than brushing for just 45 seconds*. Also, your teeth can absorb the fluoride from your toothpaste. Brushing for 2 minutes keeps teeth exposed to the fluoride for longer, strengthening them from the inside out.
* "The effect of brushing time and dentifrice on dental plaque in vivo" Gallagher et al, accepted for publication J Dent Hyg, 2009

Now, spit out your toothpaste — the fluoride continues to work after you're done!