How do you brush your teeth properly?
Brush twice a day for about two minutes, last thing at night and one other time, with a fluoride toothpaste. Angle a soft brush towards the gum line and use small, gentle movements, cleaning the outer, inner and chewing surfaces of every tooth in the same order each time. Spit out the toothpaste rather than rinsing, and clean between your teeth once a day. At Creative Arts in Dubai, a hygiene visit shows exactly which areas your brushing misses.
Who treats you here Dr. Duaa Ameen General Dentist · Dr. Julia General Dentist · Dr. Taban Ameen Dentist
Every dentist’s licence can be checked on the DHA Sheryan medical directory.
How to brush your teeth, step by step
This routine works with a manual or an electric brush. With an electric brush, guide the head slowly from tooth to tooth instead of scrubbing.
Use a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste
A small head reaches the back teeth more easily. Soft bristles clean the gum line without wearing it away.
Before you startAngle the bristles at the gum line
Tilt the brush at about 45 degrees so the bristle tips sit where tooth meets gum. This is where plaque builds up and where gum disease starts.
Every toothUse small, gentle movements
Short back-and-forth jiggles or small circles over one or two teeth at a time, rather than long, hard strokes across the whole row.
Every toothFollow the same order every time
For example, outer surfaces of the upper teeth, then inner, then chewing surfaces, then the same for the lower teeth. A fixed order stops you missing areas.
About 2 minutesTurn the brush upright behind the front teeth
The inside of the lower front teeth is where tartar builds fastest. Use the tip of the brush with up-and-down strokes.
Inner surfacesSpit, don't rinse
Spit out the excess toothpaste but do not rinse with water, so the fluoride stays on your teeth for longer.
When you finish
How long and how often should you brush?
The NHS advises brushing twice a day for about two minutes, last thing before bed and on one other occasion. The night-time brush matters most, because saliva flow falls during sleep and anything left on the teeth sits there for hours.
Two minutes feels long when you time it for the first time; most people brush for much less. Splitting the mouth into four sections and giving each about thirty seconds keeps it even. Many electric brushes have a built-in timer that does this for you. Brushing more than twice a day is not necessary for most people; brushing well twice a day does more than brushing quickly three times.
How hard should you brush?
Gently. Plaque is soft and comes off with light pressure; scrubbing does not clean better, it just wears the gum and the root surfaces at the gum line. Over years, hard brushing with a stiff brush is one of the causes of notches at the necks of the teeth and of receding gums, particularly on the canines and premolars.
Two simple checks: if the bristles of a three-month-old brush are splayed outwards, you are pressing too hard; and if you hold the brush in your fist, try holding it like a pen instead. Some electric brushes have a pressure sensor that lights up or slows down when you push too hard, which many people find useful for retraining the habit.
Electric or manual toothbrush: which is better?
Both work well with good technique. The differences are mainly about how easy it is to do a thorough job.
| Manual toothbrush | Electric toothbrush | |
|---|---|---|
| What the evidence says | Effective when used carefully for two minutes | A 2014 Cochrane review found 11% less plaque at 1–3 months and 21% less after three months, and 6% and 11% less gingivitis, than manual brushes |
| Who it suits | Anyone with good technique and the patience to slow down | People who rush, have braces, limited dexterity or struggle to reach the back teeth |
| Pressure | Easy to press too hard without noticing | Many models have a pressure sensor |
| Timing | You need to time yourself | Most have a two-minute timer |
| Upkeep | Replace the whole brush | Replace the head; charge the handle |
The NHS puts it simply: it does not matter whether you use an electric or manual toothbrush, but some people find it easier to clean thoroughly with an electric one.
Which toothpaste, and why should you spit rather than rinse?
Fluoride is what makes toothpaste protect against decay. The NHS advises adults to use a toothpaste with at least 1,350 ppm fluoride; the strength is printed on the tube. Whitening, herbal and charcoal products vary widely, and some contain little or no fluoride, so check the label. Our guide to choosing a toothpaste compares the types, and children's amounts by age are covered in kids' toothpaste and brushing.
After brushing, spit out the excess and leave the thin film of toothpaste on your teeth. The NHS advises against rinsing straight after brushing because it washes away the concentrated fluoride. For the same reason, if you use a mouthwash, choose a different time of day, such as after lunch, rather than straight after brushing. The mouthwash guide explains which rinses are worth using.
Want to know which spots your brushing misses? A preventive visit with disclosing dye shows exactly where plaque collects, and the dentist adjusts your routine to your teeth, gums and restorations.
See preventive dentistryHow should you brush with braces, implants, bridges or sensitive teeth?
The basics stay the same. These are the adjustments that make the most difference.
| Situation | What to change |
|---|---|
| Fixed braces | Brush above and below the brackets with the brush angled into each, add a small interdental brush under the wire, and allow extra time; see cleaning with braces |
| Clear aligners | Brush and clean between the teeth before putting the aligners back in, so food is not trapped against the teeth |
| Dental implants | Brush gently around the gum collar of each implant crown and use interdental brushes that suit implants; see implant cleaning |
| Bridges | Clean under the false tooth every day with a threader or an interdental brush; see dental bridge problems |
| Sensitive teeth or receding gums | A soft brush, light pressure and a desensitising fluoride toothpaste; see sensitive teeth |
| After acidic food or drink | Wait a while before brushing, because enamel softened by acid wears more easily |
| While fasting | Brush after suhoor and before sleep; see oral hygiene while fasting |
Is brushing enough on its own?
No. A toothbrush cleans the outer, inner and chewing surfaces, but it cannot reach the contact points between the teeth, which is exactly where most gum disease and many cavities begin. Cleaning between the teeth once a day with interdental brushes or floss completes the job; the NHS notes interdental brushes can be used instead of floss. Our guide to flossing, interdental brushes and water flossers explains how to choose and use them.
The tongue is the other place people forget. Its rough surface holds bacteria that contribute to bad breath; brushing it gently from back to front, or using a tongue scraper, helps.
If your gums bleed when you brush, keep going, gently
Bleeding usually means the gum is inflamed by plaque, and stopping brushing makes it worse. Brush carefully along the gum line and clean between the teeth; bleeding from simple gingivitis typically improves within a week or two. If it has not improved after two weeks, or you notice gums shrinking back or loose teeth, book an examination. Can gum disease be reversed? explains what home care can and cannot fix.
What are the most common brushing mistakes?
- Brushing too fast. Thirty or forty seconds misses most of the gum line.
- Scrubbing hard and sideways. It wears the gums and the necks of the teeth without cleaning better.
- Skipping the inner surfaces. The tongue side of the lower front teeth and the palate side of the upper molars are the most missed areas.
- Rinsing with water afterwards. It washes the fluoride off.
- Brushing straight after acidic drinks. Fruit juice, soft drinks and citrus soften enamel for a while.
- Keeping a worn brush. Once the bristles splay they stop cleaning the gum line; many dentists suggest replacing the brush or head about every three months.
- Brushing only in the morning. The night-time brush protects your teeth through the hours of low saliva.