The brushing method

Soft bristles only. Angle the brush 45 degrees to the gum line and use short, gentle vibratory strokes rather than long horizontal scrubbing, which causes abrasion notches and recession.

Two minutes, twice a day. Splitting the mouth into four quadrants of 30 seconds each is the easiest way to keep track.

Between the teeth is where decay starts

A brush cannot reach the contact surfaces between teeth — roughly 40% of the tooth surface. Floss or use an interdental brush once a day, ideally at night.

Common mistakes

Brushing immediately after acidic food, rinsing vigorously with water right after brushing (it washes away the fluoride), using a hard brush, and keeping the same brush for more than three months.

Do you need a mouthwash?

Not routinely. A fluoride mouthwash helps high-risk patients, but chlorhexidine rinses should only be used for short prescribed courses.