How to Properly Brush Your Teeth: A Step By Step Guide | LISTERINE® (2024)

If you’re committed to brushing like a pro and keeping your teeth and gums healthy for a lifetime, it might help to consider why you brush your teeth.

You might remember that digestion begins in the mouth, so it’s no surprise that a mouth is a tough place for teeth to live. Teeth are under constant assault from digestive enzymes and bacteria that form a sticky film on your teeth, called plaque. Brushing your teeth properly is key to removing plaque as it builds up. Remember: having clean teeth is an ongoing journey, not a destination. It’s important to be consistent with your at home teeth cleaning routine. Below are some basic steps to follow when brushing your teeth, however it’s recommended to ask your dental hygienist for a customized plan for proper oral hygiene that is unique to you and your dental needs.

Steps For Brushing Your Teeth Properly:

You probably already brush your teeth—but are you an expert brusher? Test your knowledge or perfect your technique with this guide to proper tooth brushing.

How to Properly Brush Your Teeth: A Step By Step Guide | LISTERINE® (1)

1. Aim Your Toothbrush

After applying toothpaste to your toothbrush, point your bristles at a 45° angle to your gumline. Why? The angle helps bristles gently reach and clean areas of your teeth usually covered by your gums. A flatter angle won’t reach as far down your teeth, and a steeper angle means your bristles will poke and irritate your gums unnecessarily.

How to Properly Brush Your Teeth: A Step By Step Guide | LISTERINE® (2)

2. Gently Scrub Your Teeth

There are many different methods for brushing your teeth. Ask your dentist or dental hygienist for which brushing method is best for you. You should also ask which type of toothbrush, manual or electric, is best for your needs.

How to Properly Brush Your Teeth: A Step By Step Guide | LISTERINE® (3)

3. Keep Brushing for Two Minutes

When it comes to brushing your teeth, two minutes is the magic number, but it's not always about how long you brush, but how well you brush. And if you brush willy-nilly, you might miss a spot. Break those two minutes into 30-second blocks and focus on one of the four corners of your mouth: top left, top right, bottom left, and bottom right. Don't forget the inside, outside, and tops of your teeth. Need inspiration or a timer? Play your favorite two-minute jam and don’t stop cleaning your teeth until it ends.

How to Properly Brush Your Teeth: A Step By Step Guide | LISTERINE® (4)

4. Be Sure to Brush Your Tongue

Yes, brush your tongue. It may feel funny, but brushing your tongue is an important step to get rid of plaque, as it helps to remove bacteria in your mouth. Plus, it will help keep your breath fresh and clean. Learn more about how to get fresh breath here.

OTHER ADVICE FOR CLEANING YOUR TEETH AT HOME

Brushing is just the beginning.

Clean between your teeth once per day to properly clean where toothbrush bristles can’t reach.

Going soft is a good thing.

Be gentle. It is recommended to use a toothbrush with soft bristles.

Watch what you eat.

Sugary and acidic beverages and snacks are harmful to teeth. You can help protect your teeth by avoiding foods that can harm your tooth enamel.

Nothing replaces a dentist.

Visit the dentist regularly for professional cleanings.

Incorporate rinsing as part of your routine.

Adding mouthwash to your at-home teeth cleaning routine can help you reduce plaque and gingivitis-causing bacteria by reaching the places that brushing might miss.

Discover our products, and find which LISTERINE® Mouthwash is right for you.

Source:

https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/brushing-your-teeth

https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2019-09/oral-health-aging-brushing.pdf

How to Properly Brush Your Teeth: A Step By Step Guide | LISTERINE® (2024)

FAQs

How to Properly Brush Your Teeth: A Step By Step Guide | LISTERINE®? ›

"Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and then the chewing surfaces of all your teeth." And whatever you do, try not to brush too hard, or you might end up inadvertently causing gum recession and sensitive teeth, she adds.

What is the correct order to brush your teeth? ›

"Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and then the chewing surfaces of all your teeth." And whatever you do, try not to brush too hard, or you might end up inadvertently causing gum recession and sensitive teeth, she adds.

What is the correct routine to brush your teeth? ›

Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Clean between teeth regularly, aiming for once a day. Use dental floss or a special brush or wooden or plastic pick recommended by a dental professional.

What is the 3 3 3 rule brushing teeth? ›

The brushing method recommended to general persons in Korea is the 3-3-3 brushing method campaign, which involves only toothbrushing behavior (the time and frequency); 3-3-3 means brushing one's teeth 3 times per day, within 3 minutes after having a meal, for at least 3 minutes each time.

How do I brush my teeth perfectly? ›

Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums. Gently move the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes. Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.

What are 5 tips for proper brushing of your teeth? ›

The Proper Way to Brush Your Teeth
  1. Step 1: Start with the outer surfaces of your teeth. Take your time! ...
  2. Step 2: Tilt your brush at a 45° angle. ...
  3. Step 3: Brush the inner surface of your teeth. ...
  4. Step 4: Clean the chewing surfaces of your teeth. ...
  5. Step 5: Brush your tongue.

What are the golden rules of brushing teeth? ›

You should brush your teeth at a 45-degree angle, that is, with the toothbrush diagonally across your teeth. You should also use circular motions. After circular brushing, you should complete the brushing process with a sweeping motion from the gums down.

What is the best brushing technique? ›

The most commonly recommended method is the Modified Bass technique, which involves holding the toothbrush at an angle so that the bristles point at your gum line and making short back-and-forth strokes, followed by sweeping the brush from under the gum toward the edge of your tooth.

What is the rule for brushing your teeth? ›

Brush your teeth for about 2 minutes last thing before you go to bed and on 1 other occasion every day. Your dentist or hygienist may give you more advice based on your own dental health and needs.

Do I floss before or after brushing? ›

Recent research suggests flossing before brushing your teeth is the way to go. This approach is superior for eliminating dental plaque on tooth surfaces and boosts the fluoride concentration in your mouth. Flossing before brushing helps strengthen your tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay.

What are the 5 proper steps for oral care? ›

Procedure Details
  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Use fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. ...
  • Floss once daily. ...
  • Brush your tongue. ...
  • Use an antibacterial mouthwash every day. ...
  • Visit your dentist regularly. ...
  • Avoid smoking and other tobacco products.

What is poor oral hygiene? ›

Early signs of poor oral hygiene might include bad breath, sore gums, and visible plaque on the teeth. Long-term, poor dental hygiene might show up in signs like: Stained or discolored teeth. Visible tartar (hardened plaque). Sensitive teeth.

What is the 222 rule for teeth? ›

The 2-2-2 Rule Is A Simple Way To Keep Your Child's Teeth Healthy! Children should visit the dentist twice per year. Children should brush and floss at least twice a day (along or with supervision/help depending on age). Children should spend two whole minutes in brushing and flossing.

Is 3 times a day too much brushing? ›

Twice is enough for most people, but three times won't hurt!

We recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day: once in the morning (i.e. around 30 minutes after breakfast), and once before bed! But if you want to go for three, that's no issue, just as long as you don't brush too hard or too soon after eating!

What happens if you don't brush for 3 days? ›

However, at three days post not brushing, you'll notice that your teeth are starting to feel incredibly filmy. There aren't any rough spots on the teeth; they have begun to be filled in by plaque and food debris. The filmy, sticky feeling is the plaque caused by the buildup of bacteria.

What is the 2 2 2 rule for brushing teeth? ›

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends the 2/2 rule: brush for 2 minutes in the morning and 2 minutes at night with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. You could brush more often if you like, but the minimum for healthy teeth and gums is the 2/2 rule.

Do you floss before or after brushing? ›

Recent research suggests flossing before brushing your teeth is the way to go. This approach is superior for eliminating dental plaque on tooth surfaces and boosts the fluoride concentration in your mouth. Flossing before brushing helps strengthen your tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay.

Are you supposed to rinse after brushing your teeth? ›

Their advice: Brush your teeth with a fluoride-containing toothpaste and spit — but don't rinse. Dental experts agree. They recommend brushing at least twice a day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste to help prevent cavities.

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