How to brush your teeth properly
Most people brush for less than 45 seconds. Here's how to get the full two minutes working for you.
Most adults know they should brush for two minutes, twice a day, but studies show the average person brushes for just 45 seconds. Here's how to make every second count.
The right technique
Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle to the gumline. Use small circular motions rather than aggressive back-and-forth scrubbing, which can erode enamel and damage gums over time.
Work in sections: upper right, upper left, lower right, lower left, spending 30 seconds on each. Don't forget the inside surfaces of your teeth (the part your tongue touches), which are commonly missed.
The timer trick
Use the built-in timer on your electric toothbrush, or simply listen to a two-minute song. Many patients find that an electric toothbrush naturally makes them brush longer because the quadrant alert beeps at each 30-second interval.
Pressure matters
You should be applying barely any pressure, about the force needed to hold a pen. Heavy scrubbing damages enamel and can cause gum recession. If your bristles are splaying outward, you're pressing too hard.
After brushing
Spit out the toothpaste but don't rinse. The residual fluoride continues to protect your enamel for up to 30 minutes after brushing.