Eight Tips for Proper Brushing

The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth at least twice daily.¹ Here are eight easy tips for brushing teeth correctly:

1. Use a soft-bristled brush and toothpaste that contains fluoride.³  

2. Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against your gums.¹

3. Move the brush gently, using short strokes; don’t scrub.¹ Pay special attention to the gum line.

4. Brush the outer tooth surfaces using short, back-and-forth strokes.¹

5. Brush the inner surfaces of the front teeth using gentle, up-and-down strokes.¹

6. Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.¹

7. Rinse your toothbrush with water and store upright after use.³

8. Replace your toothbrush when it’s worn or frayed—about every three or four months.²

¹ “Cleaning Your Teeth and Gums.” Oral Health Topics, American Dental Association. www.ada.org/2624.aspx Accessed 2010.

² “ ADA Statement on Toothbrush Care: Cleaning, Storage, and Replacement.” American Dental Association. www.ada.org/1887.aspx Accessed 2010.

³ “A Look at Toothbrushes.” American Dental Association. Journal of the American Dental Association. September 2007, vol. 138, p. 1288.