How to brush your teeth well
You might think there isn't much to know about keeping your mouth clean. The health of your mouth is actually a big part of making sure you're healthy overall.
In this article, we explore the importance of thorough dental care and share tips and information to ensure your teeth stay healthy and clean.
Practical, fun and helping you find the right balance between a brief brush and a well-timed deep clean!
How long should you brush your teeth?
Dentists recommend brushing your teeth for 2 or 3 minutes each time.
This allows enough time to thoroughly clean each tooth and molar on all sides and surfaces. Having a clock in the bathroom can be a useful reminder to keep to the recommended brushing time.
However, you can also divide your mouth into quadrants and brush for 30 seconds per area. Some electric brushes even have a built-in timer that tells you when it's time to change quadrants. But you can keep brushing until you feel you've covered all chewing surfaces.
Why is brushing your teeth important?
People overlook the importance of brushing their teeth properly. Thorough brushing and flossing prevents cavities, protects your gums, keeps your breath fresh and can improve your overall health.
Maintaining clean, healthy teeth is a contributing preventative of other health issues, such as heart disease or diabetes.
Did you know?
You will spend a massive 82 days of your life brushing our teeth!
How often should you change your toothbrush?
Changing your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months is necessary to ensure your toothbrush is effective. Using your toothbrush causes the bristles to wear down, making it less effective at removing dental plaque and bacteria.
Top tip
Set a regular reminder on your calendar or mobile phone to keep track of how often to change your toothbrush.
What happens if you don't brush your teeth?
- Bad bacteria
- Plaque on the teeth
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Bad breath
Untreated oral health problems can impact your general health and have been associated with conditions such as heart disease, too.
To avoid all of this, we will give you instructions below on how to brush your teeth properly.
Want clean teeth? Here's how
Learning how to brush your teeth properly is crucial for good oral hygiene. Keep reading to find out the key points to keep your teeth gleaming. Don't miss a step!
How do brush your teeth properly?
- Use a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
- Lightly moisten the brush head and apply a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
- Position the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gum line.
- Brush the surface of your teeth in a circular motion, and the tongue and palate for at least two minutes.
- Rinse your mouth with water after brushing your teeth.
After brushing your teeth, it is advisable to use additional oral care products such as dental floss and mouthwash. It is also important to clean the toothbrush and allow it to air dry.
Should you brush your tongue?
It’s no secret that you should be brushing your tongue! This simple action goes a long way, helping to prevent problems such as halitosis, tooth decay, gingivitis or periodontitis. This is why experts recommend brushing your tongue at least once per day, whether it be with a toothbrush or a tongue scraper.
How many times a day should you brush your teeth?
You should brush your teeth twice a day at minimum. Once in the morning after breakfast and once before going to bed. This ensures effective removal of plaque and harmful bacteria.
Some people also opt for further teeth cleaning after main meals. The use of dental floss and mouthwash also complements daily oral hygiene.
Types of toothbrushes - which is the best?
There are different types of toothbrushes on the market, including:
- Normal manual toothbrushes
- Electric toothbrushes
- Sonic toothbrushes
- Double-sided toothbrushes
Types of toothbrushes are also categorised according to the hardness of the bristles: soft, medium and hard. The choice depends on personal preference and the state of oral health. Soft bristles are gentle, while hard bristles are not recommended for most, as they can damage the enamel and gums.
Which is the best type of toothbrush for you depends on individual preferences and needs. Electric and sonic toothbrushes can be more effective at removing plaque, while some people prefer the simplicity of a regular manual toothbrush. So which toothbrush is best should be based on personal preference, oral health goals and dentist recommendations.
Brushing your teeth - special considerations
There are some special considerations to bear in mind when brushing your teeth, depending on your individual situation. Here are some important ones:
Brushing your teeth after extraction
Depending on the type of procedure that has been carried out, your dentist’s instructions will differ. It is therefore important to follow their exact guidelines on brushing your teeth after an extraction or another dental procedure to ensure a safe recovery.
Bloody gums when brushing teeth
Gentle brushing is important if you notice bloody gums when brushing your teeth. Use a soft toothbrush and avoid excessive pressure to prevent further irritation. Some electric/sonic brushes recognise when you are applying too much pressure and vibrate so that you don't damage your gums.
Change your toothbrush after being sick
After being sick, germs can remain on the toothbrush bristles and give you an infection again the next time you use it.
Sensitive teeth when brushing
If you have sensitive teeth, you should use a soft toothbrush and a special toothpaste for sensitive teeth when brushing, to protect the enamel.
How much floss should you use?
The secret’s in your elbow!
When flossing, one of the main doubts people have is how much floss to use. The trick is to take the same length as the distance from your hand to your elbow as the recommended amount of dental floss.
How long should you wait before brushing teeth after eating?
It is advisable to wait at least 30 minutes after eating before brushing your teeth.
Why wait?
Eating causes a change in pH in the mouth, which increases acidity and weakens tooth enamel. Saliva is responsible for neutralising this, but it takes about 20 minutes for this to happen. Experts recommend waiting about 30 minutes after eating to brush your teeth to avoid damaging your tooth enamel.
Waiting allows saliva to neutralise acids and re-harden the enamel, which may have been softened by food. Brushing directly after eating, especially if acidic foods or drinks have been consumed, can damage the enamel as it is more sensitive in this state. It is therefore important to know when to brush your teeth after eating.
How to brush teeth with braces or aligners
Brushing your teeth with fixed braces can be impractical, as the brackets and wires of the braces create additional obstacles for the toothbrush.
These structures can cause food debris and plaque to accumulate more easily between the braces, making cleaning more difficult.
In order to clean teeth well, special brushes and tools are required to reach all areas around the brackets and wires.
In contrast, aligners, also known as clear aligners, allow for easier oral hygiene during treatment.
They can be removed before you brush your teeth, which makes brushing simpler as you don't have to consider obstacles such as brackets and wires.
Impress aligners for better oral hygiene
At Impress, we offer aligners to give you healthier, straighter teeth without the restrictions of fixed braces.
Oral hygiene is easier with aligners. Our aligners allow you to clean teeth efficiently as they are removable. We're here to make sure your oral hygiene goes smoothly during your treatment.
Take the first step towards improving your oral health! Make an appointment online, by phone at +44 20 3808 1072 or via WhatsApp.
Updated: October 2025
Frequently asked questions about brushing your teeth
How can I clean my toothbrush?
If you’re wondering how to clean your toothbrush, the simplest way is to rinse it under hot water and allow it to air dry, or use a special toothbrush cleaning solution.
Who created the toothbrush and when was it invented?
It is difficult to pinpoint exactly who created the toothbrush and when it was invented. The modern toothbrush developed over time from various precursors and was used in different cultures. However, the development of today’s toothbrush was driven forward in the 18th century. The first toothbrush with bristles was manufactured in Great Britain in 1780, and in 1857 the American H. N. Wadsworth received the first US patent for such a toothbrush. The mass production of toothbrushes began in the 19th century, which led to them improving and becoming more widespread.
When should you start brushing baby teeth?
Children should start brushing their baby teeth from the moment their first tooth erupts, usually from the age of six months.
Should you brush teeth before or after breakfast?
Brushing your teeth in the morning helps to reduce the bacteria and bad breath that can build up overnight. It is recommended to brush your teeth after breakfast, although we also recommend brushing them before.
How long after brushing teeth can I eat?
You can eat from 30 minutes after brushing your teeth. Dentists recommend waiting at least this amount of time so as not to impair the effect of the toothpaste.
Can I brush my teeth after scaling?
After a professional tooth cleaning, or scaling, you cannot clean or brush your teeth for at least 2-4 hours to give the cleaned teeth time to recover.
How often should you change your toothbrush?
Although there is no specific recommendation about how frequently you should change your toothbrush, dentists recommend doing so every 3 to 4 months at the latest. It is not a question of how long it has been used, but rather how worn it is: the toothbrush should be changed when you can see visible signs of wear in the bristles. It is also worth noting that, even if the toothbrush is in good condition, there are other reasons why your toothbrush should be replaced, e.g. it is recommended to replace your toothbrush after a cold or other respiratory illness, as germs and viruses can live on the bristles and result in you getting sick again.