A practical daily oral-care routine
Twice-daily brushing, cleaning between teeth, and what to do after using toothpaste.
2 min readMake the basics repeatable
Brush with fluoride toothpaste twice a day for around two minutes, including last thing before bed. Cover the outer, inner and chewing surfaces rather than concentrating only on the visible front teeth.
Keep the routine simple: a regular time, a suitable tool and an order you can follow without missing an area. Note any place that is difficult to reach so you can ask about it at your next visit.
Clean between teeth too
A toothbrush cannot fully clean the spaces between teeth. Make interdental cleaning a daily habit using floss or another suitable tool. Small interdental brushes and water flossers are other options to discuss if string floss is difficult to use.
Work gently rather than snapping floss against the gums. If cleaning continues to hurt, ask the dentist about the cause and your technique instead of applying more pressure.
After brushing
Spit out excess toothpaste without rinsing with water straight away, so the fluoride left on the teeth is not immediately washed away. If you use mouthwash, choose a different time from brushing and follow the product and dentist’s instructions.
One useful question for your next visit
Ask a specific question: how can I reach my back teeth, am I using floss correctly, and which tool fits the spaces in my mouth? Bring the name of your toothbrush or a photograph of the toothpaste label to make the discussion more useful.
