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1.3

Brushing your teeth for two minutes

Brush every surface of every tooth for two full minutes, twice a day, with fluoride toothpaste.

A man in a white bathrobe leans toward the mirror, brushing his teeth in a tiled bathroom.
Photo: Tima Miroshnichenko / Pexels
Area: BodyFrom age 7Time to learn: 10 minutes to learn. Use a timer for the first few weeks until two minutes feels normal.

You will be able to brush with the technique and timing that dental associations recommend.

SafetyChildren need help or supervision with brushing until they are at least 7 years old, according to the NHS. Ask a dentist how much fluoride toothpaste a young child should use, and help them spit it out.

Why it matters

Tooth decay is common and mostly preventable. CDC reports that 1 in 5 US adults aged 20 to 64 has at least one untreated cavity. Reviews cited by the American Dental Association found that brushing for two minutes removes more plaque than brushing for one.

How to do it

  1. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. In the US, look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
  2. Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums.
  3. Move it gently back and forth in short strokes, about one tooth wide. Do not scrub hard.
  4. Split your mouth into four quarters: upper left, upper right, lower left, lower right. Spend 30 seconds on each.
  5. In each quarter, brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces and the chewing surfaces.
  6. For the inside of your front teeth, tilt the brush upright and make several up-and-down strokes.
  7. Spit out the extra toothpaste. Do not rinse with water straight away, so the fluoride stays on your teeth.
  8. Once a day, clean between your teeth with floss or small interdental brushes.
  9. Brush last thing at night and once more during the day.
  10. Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed.

Common mistakes

  • Stopping after 30 to 60 seconds. Use a timer or a two-minute song.
  • Brushing only the outside surfaces and skipping the inner ones.
  • Rinsing with water right after brushing, which washes the fluoride away.
  • Keeping a frayed brush for longer than 3 to 4 months.
You can do this when …you can brush all four quarters, outside, inside and chewing surfaces, for a timed two minutes, then spit without rinsing.

Sources

  1. American Dental Association – Home Oral Care
  2. ADA MouthHealthy – Brushing Your Teeth
  3. NHS – How to keep your teeth clean
  4. CDC – Oral Health Facts

Sources and numbers last checked . How we check

Topic: Hygiene and puberty

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1Body16 lessons
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