How to Brush Your Teeth Properly: Technique, Timing and Tools

Most people brush every day, but few were ever shown how. Good technique matters more than an expensive brush. This guide walks through what the American Dental Association (ADA) and the National Institutes of Health recommend: how often to brush, how to hold the brush, which surfaces people miss, and when to replace your toothbrush.

Table of Contents

Why brushing works

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) describes a daily “tug-of-war” in the mouth. Plaque, the sticky film of bacteria on teeth, feeds on sugars and starches and makes acids that pull minerals out of enamel. Saliva and fluoride push the other way, helping enamel repair itself. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste removes plaque and puts fluoride on the tooth surface. Both tip the balance toward repair.

The basics: how often and with what

Twice a day. The ADA recommends brushing twice a day with a soft-bristled brush.
Fluoride toothpaste. The ADA advises an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste. Our guide on how to choose a toothpaste explains the label.
A brush that fits. The ADA says the size and shape of the brush should fit your mouth so you can reach every area easily.
Two minutes. The ADA’s flossing guidance describes brushing twice daily for at least two minutes each time as the first step for healthy teeth and gums.

Step-by-step technique

The ADA describes this method:

Angle the brush. Place the bristles at a 45-degree angle to the gums.
Use short, gentle strokes. Move the brush back and forth in short, tooth-wide strokes. Gentle is the key word. Scrubbing hard does not clean better.
Cover every surface. Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces and the chewing surfaces of all teeth.
Tilt for the front teeth. To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, hold the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) gives similar advice: brush gently on all sides with small circular motions and short back-and-forth strokes, and brush carefully along the gum line. The NIA also suggests lightly brushing your tongue or using a tongue scraper to help keep your mouth clean.

Where people usually miss

The inside surfaces, especially behind the lower front teeth, and the gum line are easy to skip. A simple fix is to brush in the same order every time, for example outer, inner, then chewing surfaces, top then bottom, so no area depends on memory.

Manual or electric?

Both can work when used well, and the ADA says its Seal appears on toothbrushes that meet its criteria for safety and effectiveness. The NIA notes that an electric or battery-operated toothbrush can make brushing easier for people with arthritis or other conditions that limit hand motion. A larger handle or a wide elastic band that attaches the brush to the hand can also help. For a full comparison, see electric vs manual toothbrushes.

When to replace your toothbrush

The ADA recommends replacing your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed, because a worn brush won’t clean your teeth well.

Brushing is only half the job

A toothbrush can’t reach between teeth. The ADA notes that decay-causing bacteria linger there and recommends cleaning between your teeth once a day. That removes plaque and food from between the teeth and under the gum line. The ADA says it doesn’t matter whether you floss before or after brushing, as long as you do it thoroughly. See our flossing and interdental cleaning guide for tools and technique.

The ADA also lists a balanced diet that limits sugary drinks and snacks, plus regular dental visits, as the rest of a complete routine.

Signs your technique needs work

Bleeding gums. The NIA advises seeing your dentist if brushing or flossing makes your gums bleed or hurts your mouth. Bleeding can be an early sign of gum disease. See signs of gum disease.
Splayed bristles within weeks. This often means you are pressing too hard.
Plaque that comes back quickly along the gum line. Ask your dentist or hygienist to watch you brush and correct your angle at your next visit.

Brushing at night matters

NIDCR notes that saliva flow drops during sleep, which leaves teeth less able to repair themselves after an acid attack. That is why NIDCR advises children not to eat or drink anything with sugar after bedtime brushing. The same logic makes the night brush the one not to skip at any age.

Frequently asked questions

How long should I brush?

The ADA’s guidance describes brushing for at least two minutes, twice a day.

Is a hard-bristled brush better at removing plaque?

The ADA recommends a soft-bristled brush and gentle strokes. Technique and coverage matter more than stiffness.

Should I brush right after eating?

Usually you can. The exception is acidic foods and drinks. The ADA advises waiting an hour after them so saliva can wash away acids and re-harden enamel.

Should I brush my tongue?

The NIA suggests lightly brushing your tongue or using a tongue scraper to help keep your mouth clean.

How do I know which products are good?

Look for the ADA Seal. The ADA says it shows a product met ADA criteria for safety and effectiveness. The Seal appears on toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss and other products.

Sources

By the Dentist Review Editorial Team.

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Talk to a licensed dentist about your own situation. See our disclaimer.

Featured image: “Colorful toothbrush” by Gausanchennai, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and compressed for the web.

Dentist Review Editorial Team

Our guides are written and reviewed by the Dentist Review editorial team. We research each topic using public, authoritative sources such as the CDC, the National Institutes of Health (NIH/NIDCR), the American Dental Association (ADA) and CMS, and we update guides when guidance changes. Guides are for general information only and are not dental or medical advice; please read our disclaimer and learn more about us.