Two minutes is the time most dentists suggest for brushing, and it feels surprisingly long when you are standing at the sink. The trick our hygienists teach is to stop thinking about two minutes at all, and think about four corners of thirty seconds each.
Four corners, thirty seconds each
Start at the top right, move to the top left, then the bottom left and the bottom right. In each corner, brush the outside, the inside and the chewing surfaces. When you reach the last corner you are done, and nothing has been skipped.
A small brush, held lightly
Hold the brush like a pen rather than a hammer. Small circles with light pressure clean better than hard scrubbing, and they are kinder to your gums. If the bristles splay out within a month, you are pressing too hard.
- Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste
- Spit, but try not to rinse straight away
- Clean between your teeth once a day with floss or small brushes
- Change your brush every three months, or sooner if it looks tired
Make it part of something you already do
Habits stick when they hang on an existing one. Brush straight after breakfast and just before bed, and keep the floss next to your toothbrush rather than in a drawer. Ask your hygienist at your next visit to show you the one spot your brush tends to miss.
