Guide to Brushing Your Teeth the Right Way

Brushing your teeth properly will help prevent conditions such as gingivitis and tooth decay. If you aren't brushing right with a soft-bristled brush you might be causing tooth abrasion or even damaging your gums. Follow these steps to brush your teeth the right way.

1:36

7 Tips for Preventing Cavities

In addition to brushing, you should clean between your teeth once a day with floss or another approved interdental cleaner. Flossing is an incredibly important, yet often neglected, part of oral health. It might be painful at first, especially if you aren't in the habit of regularly flossing, but try to make it a part of your daily routine. Dental floss is able to reach the tiny crevices between your teeth that a toothbrush can't. If you make flossing a habit, you will definitely notice a difference in the way your mouth feels.

The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice each day with a soft-bristled toothbrush using an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste. You should also clean between your teeth one each day (such as by flossing).

If you're using a teeth whitening product, floss and brush first.

1

Prepare Your Toothbrush

Man brushing teeth
Glow Wellness/Getty Images

Wet your toothbrush with water and apply a thin strip of toothpaste. If you've ever stood in the toothpaste aisle at the store, you can attest to the innumerable types of toothpaste that are available. It all depends on your own preferences, but try to use one that contains fluoride, which protects the teeth against cavities and prevents tooth decay.

2

Start in the Back

Start in the Back of the mouth

Shawn Marie Watson

Start with your upper molars, or your back teeth, on one side of your mouth and work in a clockwise direction. Point the bristles toward the gum line at a 45-degree angle. Brush using short, circular motions for approximately 20 seconds.

3

Roll Away

Roll away

Shawn Marie Watson

After 20 seconds, roll the brush head away from the gum line so the bristles sweep the surface of the tooth, removing plaque and food particles in the process.

4

Work in a Clockwise Direction

Work in a Clockwise Direction

Shawn Marie Watson

Continue working in a clockwise direction, finishing up with the lower molars on the other side of your mouth.

Repeat steps two and three for the inside surfaces of the upper and lower molars.

5

Brush Behind the Upper Front Teeth

Brush Behind the Upper Front Teeth

Shawn Marie Watson

Brush the lingual, or back surface of the upper front teeth by using the tip of the toothbrush head. Direct the bristles toward the gum line and use a flicking motion down the surface of the tooth. Repeat this two or three times for a more thorough clean.

6

Brush Behind the Lower Front Teeth

Brush Behind the Lower Front Teeth

Shawn Marie Watson

Point the bristles of the tip of the toothbrush toward the gum line and flick the bristles up and away from the gum line in a sweeping motion. Repeat this step two or three more times.

7

Brush the Top Surfaces of the Teeth

Brush the Top Surfaces of the Teeth

Shawn Marie Watson

Brush the top, biting surfaces of the upper and lower premolars and molars using a circular motion.

8

Brush the Tongue and the Insides of the Cheeks

Brush the Tongue and the Insides of the Cheeks

Shawn Marie Watson

Teeth aren't the only things in your mouth that need to be cleaned. Your tongue, the roof of your mouth and the insides of your cheeks can also hold onto food particles, plaque, and bacteria that make your breath smell. Just like your teeth, they deserve a good cleaning. With a gentle, circular motion, thoroughly brush your tongue, the insides of your cheeks and the roof of your mouth.

9

Finish up With a Rinse

Finish up With a Rinse

Shawn Marie Watson

Wrap up with a rinse. Use water or your choice of mouthwash. Smile!

2 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. American Dental Association. Flossing.

  2. American Dental Association. Brushing your teeth.

By Shawn Watson
Shawn Watson is an orthodontic dental assistant and writer with over 10 years of experience working in the field of dentistry.