To brush your teeth correctly, brush twice a day for about two minutes with a soft toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste. Angle the bristles towards the gumline, use gentle short strokes on every surface of every tooth, then spit out the toothpaste without rinsing. Clean between your teeth once a day as well.
Why the way you brush matters
Every day, a soft, sticky film of bacteria called plaque builds up on your teeth, especially along the gumline and between the teeth. If it is not removed, these bacteria produce acids that can lead to tooth decay (cavities) and irritate the gums, causing gum inflammation.
Brushing is the simplest way to remove plaque, but how you brush matters as much as how often. Many people brush every day yet keep missing the same areas: the inner surfaces, the back teeth and the edge of the gums.
What you need: the right toothbrush and toothpaste
- A soft or medium-soft toothbrush with a small head, so it reaches the back teeth easily. Hard bristles do not clean better and can wear down the gums and the teeth.
- A fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens the enamel, the hard outer layer of the tooth, and helps prevent decay. NHS guidance on keeping your teeth clean recommends that adults use a toothpaste with at least 1,350 ppm (parts per million) of fluoride; the amount is printed on the tube.
- Something to clean between the teeth: dental floss or small interdental brushes.
A manual and an electric toothbrush can both do the job well when used properly. Replace your toothbrush, or the head of an electric brush, about every three months, or sooner if the bristles are splayed.
The method step by step
Dentists commonly recommend a gentle technique in which the bristles are aimed at the gumline, where plaque collects most. Think of your mouth as four quarters (upper right, upper left, lower left, lower right) and spend about 30 seconds on each.
- Put a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste on the brush.
- Place the bristles against the teeth at an angle of about 45 degrees, pointing towards the gumline, so that they touch both the tooth and the edge of the gum.
- Move the brush with gentle, short back-and-forth strokes or small circles, covering one or two teeth at a time. Use light pressure: plaque is soft and does not need scrubbing.
- Clean the outer surfaces of all the upper teeth, then all the lower teeth.
- Clean the inner surfaces in the same way. For the inside of the front teeth, hold the brush upright and make several gentle up-and-down strokes with the tip.
- Brush the chewing surfaces of the back teeth with short back-and-forth movements.
- Brush your tongue gently from back to front to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.
- Spit out the excess toothpaste but do not rinse with water, so that a thin layer of fluoride stays on the teeth.
If you use an electric toothbrush
Let the brush do the work. Guide it slowly from tooth to tooth, holding it for a few seconds on each surface and keeping it angled towards the gumline, without pressing or scrubbing.
How often and when to brush
Brush twice a day: once in the morning and once last thing at night. The night-time brushing is especially important, because saliva flow drops during sleep and the teeth are less protected. After brushing at night, try not to eat or drink anything except water.
If you have just had something acidic, such as fruit juice, fizzy drinks or citrus fruit, many dentists advise waiting about an hour before brushing. Acid temporarily softens the enamel, and brushing straight away may wear it down.
Common brushing mistakes
- Brushing too hard or with a hard brush. Over time this can push the gum back and expose the root of the tooth, which may then become sensitive.
- Rushing. Most people brush for much less than two minutes; a timer or a short song helps.
- Forgetting the inner surfaces and the back of the last molars.
- Rinsing with water or mouthwash straight after brushing, which washes the fluoride away.
- Keeping the same toothbrush for many months, or sharing it with someone else.
Cleaning between your teeth and caring for your gums
A toothbrush cannot reach the tight spaces between the teeth, where decay and gum problems often begin. Once a day, clean these spaces with dental floss or with interdental brushes in a size that fits your gaps. Slide them in gently; they should not hurt or force the gum.
If your gums bleed when you start brushing or flossing properly, do not stop. Bleeding is usually a sign of gum inflammation (gingivitis) caused by plaque, and it often improves within a week or two of careful cleaning. If it continues, have your gums checked; our article on bleeding gums when brushing explains the possible causes.
Even with a good technique, some plaque hardens into tartar (calculus), a hard deposit that a toothbrush cannot remove. This is why regular professional cleaning matters; you can read more in our guide to how often you need scaling and polishing.
Brushing children’s teeth
Start brushing as soon as your baby’s first tooth appears. Children under three need only a smear of fluoride toothpaste, and children aged three to six a pea-sized amount. Encourage them to spit out the toothpaste rather than swallow it.
Young children do not yet have the skill to brush well on their own, so an adult should brush for them or supervise until they are around seven years old. For more advice, see our practical guide to preventing tooth decay in children.
Preventive dental care at Ajam Dental Clinic in Tripoli
Good brushing at home works best together with regular check-ups. At Ajam Dental Clinic, preventive care includes check-ups, scaling and polishing. During your visit, you are welcome to ask us which areas you tend to miss and which toothbrush and interdental cleaning method suit your teeth and gums. You can find out more about our preventive care and check-ups. Children’s dental care at the clinic is provided by Dr. Soumaya Ajam, whose specialty is paediatric dentistry.
Patients come to our clinic on Fouad Chehab Boulevard (Al-Makateb Building, 1st floor) from across Tripoli — Azmi Street, Al-Maarad, Al-Nour Square and Bab al-Ramel — as well as from Koura, Zgharta and the rest of North Lebanon.
If you would like a check-up, a professional cleaning or simply advice on your brushing routine, contact us by WhatsApp or phone to book a consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Should I brush my teeth before or after breakfast?
Both can work, as long as you brush twice a day. Brushing before breakfast removes the plaque that has built up overnight and coats the teeth with fluoride before you eat. If you prefer to brush after breakfast, and especially if you had fruit juice, citrus fruit or coffee, it is often advised to wait about an hour so that softened enamel is not brushed away. In the meantime, you can rinse your mouth with water or chew sugar-free gum. Whatever you choose, the most important brushing of the day is the one last thing at night.
Do I need to use mouthwash after brushing?
Mouthwash is not essential and does not replace brushing or cleaning between the teeth. If you like to use one, choose a different time from brushing, for example after lunch, because rinsing straight after brushing washes away the fluoride left by the toothpaste. A fluoride mouthwash can be useful for people at higher risk of decay, and the NHS advises not eating or drinking for 30 minutes after using one. Some medicated mouthwashes are meant for short-term use only, so it is best to ask your dentist before using them regularly.
Is an electric toothbrush better than a manual one?
Both types clean well when used correctly, and the technique matters more than the type of brush. Some studies suggest that powered brushes with a small oscillating-rotating head may remove slightly more plaque and reduce gum inflammation a little more than manual brushes over time. An electric brush can also help people who find it hard to move their hands, children who need encouragement, and anyone who tends to brush too hard, since many models warn you when you press. If you use a manual brush well for two full minutes, there is no need to change.
My teeth are sensitive. How should I brush them?
Use a soft toothbrush, light pressure and short gentle strokes, and avoid scrubbing along the gumline. A toothpaste made for sensitive teeth, used twice a day for a few weeks, often helps; you can also dab a little onto the sensitive area at night and leave it without rinsing. Waiting before brushing after acidic food or drinks protects the enamel too. Sensitivity can have different causes, such as receding gums, worn enamel, a cavity or a cracked filling, so if it lasts more than a few weeks or a single tooth is affected, it is worth having it examined.
Do whitening or charcoal toothpastes damage the teeth?
Whitening toothpastes can remove surface stains from coffee, tea or smoking, but they do not change the natural colour of the teeth. Some contain more abrasive particles, so they are best used gently and not as your only toothpaste if your teeth are sensitive or your gums have receded. Charcoal toothpastes have little scientific evidence behind them, can be abrasive and often contain little or no fluoride. If you want whiter teeth, a dentist can check whether the staining is on the surface or inside the tooth and explain safe options such as professional whitening.
How do I clean around crowns, bridges or dental implants?
Brush crowns, bridges and implants in the same way as natural teeth, with the bristles angled towards the gumline. The gum around them still needs daily care, because plaque can cause inflammation there just as it does around natural teeth. Under a bridge, use a floss threader, special thick floss or a small interdental brush to clean the space beneath the false tooth. Around implants, interdental brushes in the right size are often recommended. Regular check-ups and professional cleaning help your dentist spot early signs of gum problems around this work and keep it healthy for longer.
Have a question about your teeth?
Send a WhatsApp message to Dr. Abdel Rahman Ajam or Dr. Soumaya Ajam, or call the clinic to book a consultation.
This article provides general information for patients. It does not replace an examination by a dentist, who can advise you on your own situation.