Toothbrushing:
- Purpose: Removes plaque, food debris, and bacteria to prevent cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.
- Frequency: Brush at least twice a day—morning and before bed.
- Duration: Brush for 2 minutes each time.
- Technique: Use gentle circular motions, holding the brush at a 45-degree angle to the gums. Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
- Coverage: Brush all surfaces—outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of each tooth.
- Tools:
- Use an electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor to stop you brushing too hard
- Replace the toothbrush head every 3–4 months or when bristles are frayed.
- Use fluoride toothpaste for cavity protection.
- Spit after brushing your teeth but don’t rinse so the toothpaste is absorbed into the tooth to help make it stronger. This is especially important before you go to bed.
- Don’t Forget: Brush the tongue to remove bacteria and freshen breath.
- Complementary Habits: Combine brushing with flossing, interdental brushes and mouthwash for complete oral hygiene.
Choosing the Best Toothbrush: A Quick Guide
If you’re asking purely from an oral health perspective, most dentists agree that the “best” toothbrush is one that:
- Has soft/medium bristles – hard bristles can wear down enamel and irritate gums.
- Fits comfortably in your mouth – small enough to reach all areas, especially the back teeth.
- Is used correctly and regularly – brushing twice daily for 2 minutes matters more than brand.
That said, there’s good evidence that electric toothbrushes (especially oscillating-rotating ones like Oral-B) tend to remove more plaque and reduce gum disease risk compared to manual brushes—if used as directed. Sonic brushes (like Philips Sonicare) are also excellent, especially if you prefer a gentler vibration.
For most adults, the top picks tend to be:
- Oral-B iO Series – very effective plaque removal, pressure sensor, round oscillating head.
- Philips Sonicare Protective Clean 6100 – gentle, good for sensitive gums, timer & pressure control.
Choosing the Best Toothpaste: A Quick Guide
- The best toothpaste for you depends on your specific dental needs. In general, look for a toothpaste that contains fluoride, which helps strengthen enamel and prevent cavities. Most people benefit from using a fluoride toothpaste twice a day.
- If you have sensitive teeth, choose a toothpaste for sensitivity—these help block pain signals to the nerves in your teeth. For gum problems, look for toothpaste that targets gingivitis or plaque.
- If in doubt speak to our knowledgeable and friendly dentists or hygienists
When Is the Best Time to Use Mouthwash?
The best time to use mouthwash depends on your routine and the type of mouthwash you’re using.
In general:
- Use mouthwash after brushing and flossing to rinse away leftover debris and freshen your breath.
- Wait at least 30 minutes after brushing if your toothpaste contains fluoride. This gives the fluoride time to protect your teeth before rinsing it away.
- Use mouthwash at a different time of day (like after lunch or before bed) if you want to freshen your breath or reduce bacteria between brushings.
If you’re using a therapeutic mouthwash (for gum disease, cavities, or dry mouth), follow your dentist’s instructions or the label for best results.
Do I need to floss everyday?
f you want the hygienist to stop giving you that look, then yes—daily flossing is the gold standard.
From a more practical, evidence-based angle:
- Why daily is recommended: Plaque starts forming within hours, and if it’s not removed (including between teeth), it can harden into tartar in about 24–48 hours. Once it’s tartar, only a dental professional can remove it.
- What flossing actually does: It cleans where your toothbrush can’t reach—between teeth and just under the gumline—reducing the risk of gum disease and cavities between teeth.
- If you don’t do it daily: Flossing a few times a week is still better than not at all, but it’s less effective at preventing tartar buildup and gum inflammation.
Think of it like showering: you could do it less often, but the long-term consequences… aren’t great.
Top Tips:
- Pick the right weapon
- If you hate traditional floss, use floss picks or a water flosser. Both are dentist-approved and way faster.
- Set a “floss trigger”
- Tie it to a habit you already do every day—like right after brushing at night, or while waiting for your coffee to brew.
- Start with the “problem zones”
- Floss between the teeth where you often get food stuck or where gums bleed—usually 2–3 spots.
- Once you’re in the habit, you can work up to the rest.
- Use the 5-second rule per gap
- Glide down one side of the tooth, curve under the gum, up the other side.
- That’s ~5 seconds per space—done in under 2 minutes for a full mouth.
Pro tip: If you floss before brushing, you’ll push the loosened plaque out so your toothpaste can hit those areas better.