How to brush and floss properly
How long to brush, which toothpaste to choose, when to floss, why not to rinse straight after brushing, and when to replace your toothbrush.
The basics: twice a day, two minutes
Brush your teeth twice a day for about two minutes each time. Make one of them last thing at night, just before bed. Make sure you reach every surface: the outside, the inside and the chewing surfaces of every tooth.
Choosing a toothpaste
Fluoride is what protects teeth. It replaces minerals lost to acid, strengthens the enamel and makes it harder for bacteria to stick. Choose a non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste.
- Check the pack says it contains fluoride. Some herbal and ayurvedic toothpastes don't.
- Under 3: just a smear, about the size of a grain of rice.
- From 3 to 6: a pea-sized amount, and help them brush.
Which toothbrush?
A soft or medium brush with a small head reaches the back molars without wearing away the enamel. Electric and manual brushes do an equally good job when used properly with fluoride toothpaste, so choose whichever you'll actually use. Replace your brush about every three months, or sooner if the bristles splay.
Spit, but don't rinse
After brushing, spit out the excess toothpaste but don't rinse your mouth with water. Rinsing washes away the concentrated fluoride that's left behind to keep protecting your teeth.
Cleaning between your teeth
A toothbrush can't reach the sides of your teeth, which is where a lot of decay and gum disease begins. Clean between your teeth once a day.
- Floss: use about 30 to 45 cm, wound around your fingers with 3 to 4 cm held taut, and floss before brushing.
- Interdental brushes: a good alternative if there are gaps between your teeth.
- Avoid wooden toothpicks, which can damage the gums.
Mouthwash
If you use a fluoride mouthwash, use it at a different time from brushing, for example after lunch, and don't eat or drink for 30 minutes afterwards. Mouthwash is an extra, not a replacement for brushing and cleaning between your teeth.
Check-ups
A visit to your dentist about every six months keeps small problems small, though the right gap for you depends on how healthy your teeth and gums are.
Sources
This article is general information, not a substitute for an examination. For advice about your own teeth, book a visit.
Come in for a check-up. We’ll examine your teeth, explain what we find and talk you through the options.