How to Properly Brush & Floss
Brushing and flossing are of paramount importance to oral hygiene. Though bi-annual professional dental cleanings remove plaque, tartar and debris, excellent homecare methods are equally valuable. Proper brushing and flossing can enhance the health of the mouth, make the smile sparkle and prevent serious diseases.
Reasons why proper brushing and flossing are essential:
- Prevention of tooth decay – Tooth decay is one of the leading causes of tooth loss, and its treatment often requires complex dental procedures. Tooth decay occurs when the acids found in plaque erode the natural enamel found on the teeth. This phenomenon can easily be prevented by using proper home hygiene methods.
- Prevention of periodontal disease – Periodontal disease is a serious, progressive condition which can cause tooth loss, gum recession and jawbone recession. Periodontal disease is caused by the toxins found in plaque, and can lead to serious health problems in other parts of the body. Removing plaque and calculus (tartar) from the surface of the tooth using a toothbrush, and from the interdental areas using dental floss, is an excellent way to stave off periodontal problems.
- Prevention of halitosis – Bad breath or halitosis is usually caused by old food particles on or between the teeth. These food particles can be removed with regular brushing and flossing; leaving the mouth healthier, and breath smelling fresher.
- Prevention of staining – Staining or the yellowing of teeth can be caused by a wide variety of factors such as smoking, coffee and tea. The more regularly these staining agents are removed from the teeth using brushing and flossing techniques, the less likely it is that the stains will become permanent.
The Proper Way to Brush
The teeth should be brushed at least twice a day; ideally in the morning and before bed. The perfect toothbrush is small in size with soft, rounded-end bristles and no more than three months old. The head of the brush needs to be small enough to access all areas of the mouth, and the bristles should be soft enough so as not to cause undue damage to the gum tissue. The American Dental Association (ADA) has given electric toothbrushes their seal of approval; stating that those with rotating or oscillating heads are more effective than other toothbrushes.
Here is a basic guide to proper brushing:
- Place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle where the gums and teeth meet.
- Use small circular motions to gently brush the gumline and teeth.
- Do not scrub or apply too much pressure to the teeth, as this can damage the gums and tooth enamel.
- Brush every surface of every tooth, cheek-side, tongue-side, and chewing surfaces. Place special emphasis on the surfaces of the back teeth.
- Use back and forth strokes to brush the chewing surfaces.
- Brush the tongue to remove fungi, food and debris.
The Proper Way to Floss
Flossing is a great way to remove plaque from the interdental regions (between the teeth). Flossing is an especially important tool for preventing periodontal disease and limiting the depth of the gum pockets. The interdental regions are difficult to reach with a toothbrush and should be cleansed with dental floss on a daily basis. The flavor and type of floss are unimportant; choose floss that will be easy and pleasant to use.
Here is a basic guide to proper flossing:
- Cut a piece of floss to around 18 inches long.
- Wrap one end of the floss around the middle finger of the left hand and the other end around the middle finger of the right hand until the hands are 2-3 inches apart.
- Work the floss gently between the teeth toward the gum line.
- Curve the floss in a U-shape around each individual tooth and carefully slide it beneath the gum line.
- Carefully move the floss up and down several times to remove interdental plaque and debris.
- Do not pop the floss in and out between the teeth as this will inflame and cut the gums.
If you have any questions about the correct way to brush or floss, please ask your dentist or dental hygienist.
Why Technique Matters for Brushing and Flossing
Most patients know they should brush twice a day and floss daily, but the technique used is what determines whether all that effort actually keeps the teeth healthy. Vigorous side-to-side scrubbing wears enamel and recedes gums over time, while gentle circular motions clean better and protect tissue. Holding the floss against one tooth surface rather than curving it around each side cleans only half of what it should. Small adjustments to how you do these things matter more than people realize.
Brushing reaches the front, back, and biting surfaces of the teeth — about 60 percent of the total tooth surface area. The remaining 40 percent, the side surfaces of each tooth that touch the neighbour, can only be cleaned with floss or another between-the-teeth tool. Skipping flossing leaves nearly half your tooth surfaces unbrushed every day, which is why cavities so often form between teeth even in patients who brush diligently.
Your dental hygienist or dentist can watch you brush and floss at a cleaning visit, point out specific areas you are missing, and demonstrate adjustments tailored to your teeth. If it has been a while since anyone reviewed your technique, ask at your next visit — even longtime regular brushers often pick up improvements.
Common Brushing and Flossing Mistakes to Watch For
If you suspect your home care could be more effective, check whether any of these common issues apply:
- Brushing too hard — bending bristles flat against the teeth wears enamel and damages gum tissue rather than cleaning more
- Using a hard-bristle brush — soft-bristle brushes clean just as well and protect gums; medium and hard bristles are not recommended for most patients
- Brushing for less than two minutes — most people who do not time themselves brush for under one minute, which is not long enough to clean every surface
- Skipping the inner surfaces of the teeth — the side facing the tongue is often missed because it is awkward to reach
- Brushing immediately after acidic foods or drinks (citrus, soda, wine) — this brushes softened enamel and accelerates wear; wait 30 minutes
- Replacing the toothbrush too rarely — bristles wear out by three months and clean less effectively after that
- Snapping floss down onto the gum — this causes cuts and recession; gentle pressure is enough
- Using the same section of floss between every tooth — a fresh section per tooth is more effective and hygienic
- Flossing only when food is stuck — daily flossing prevents the buildup that food gets stuck in
- Rinsing vigorously after brushing — this washes the fluoride from toothpaste away before it can work; spit but do not rinse
If you are not sure whether your technique is sound, ask your hygienist to watch you brush for a minute at your next visit. They can spot habits you may not realize you have and show small corrections that make a big difference.
Tools, Products, and What Helps Beyond the Basics
Soft-bristle toothbrushes are the standard. Electric toothbrushes with built-in timers and pressure sensors help most adults brush for the right duration and with the right force. Studies show modest improvements with electric brushes on average, though a manual brush used well is also effective. Choose a brush head that fits comfortably and replace it every three months or sooner if the bristles look bent.
Fluoride toothpaste should contain at least 1,000 to 1,500 parts per million of fluoride for adults. Children under three use a smear (grain-of-rice size); ages three to six use a pea-sized amount. Whitening toothpastes work fine as a daily option, though those with stronger abrasives are best used a few times a week rather than daily to avoid wearing enamel.
Between-the-teeth tools: traditional waxed string floss works for most people. Interdental brushes (small bristled picks) are excellent for patients with larger spaces between teeth, around braces, or near bridges. Water flossers are a good supplement, particularly for patients with implants, bridges, or orthodontic appliances, but they do not fully replace string floss for most teeth. Mouthwash is optional — an alcohol-free fluoride rinse adds a small extra cavity-protection layer but does not substitute for brushing or flossing.
Cost and Insurance Coverage
Brushing and flossing instruction is included in your regular hygiene visit at no additional cost. Trillium follows the current Ontario Dental Association Suggested Fee Guide for hygiene services, and any additional periodontal therapy or specialized oral hygiene instruction (such as for patients with active gum disease or new dental appliances) is discussed and costed in advance.
Most private dental insurance plans include hygiene visits and oral hygiene instruction under preventive services, typically covered at 80 to 100 percent. CDCP includes preventive services within its annual benefits framework. There are usually no surprises around hygiene visit cost — the visit price is the visit price.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I brush for?
Two full minutes, twice a day. Most people who do not use a timer brush for under one minute. An electric toothbrush with a built-in two-minute timer (and a 30-second quadrant reminder) helps you spend the right time on each section of your mouth.
Should I brush before or after breakfast?
Either works, with a small consideration: if you brush before breakfast, you remove overnight plaque before eating. If you brush after, wait 30 minutes if breakfast was acidic (citrus, juice, coffee) so the softened enamel has time to remineralize before brushing.
Is mouthwash necessary?
Not necessary, but optional. An alcohol-free fluoride mouthwash adds a small layer of cavity protection. Antimicrobial mouthwashes are used in specific situations (after gum surgery, for active gum disease) but are not needed by everyone. They do not replace brushing or flossing.
Why do my gums bleed when I floss?
Bleeding gums almost always mean inflammation from plaque that has not been removed. The fix is more flossing, not less — gentle daily flossing usually resolves bleeding within two weeks. If bleeding persists beyond that, mention it at your next visit so we can investigate.
How often should I replace my toothbrush?
Every three months, or sooner if the bristles look bent or frayed. Worn bristles clean less effectively and can irritate gums. Also replace your brush after a cold, flu, or other infectious illness.
Can my electric toothbrush damage my teeth?
Used properly, no. An electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor warns you if you are pressing too hard. Patients who use an electric brush as a manual brush (scrubbing back and forth with extra force) can still damage enamel. Let the brush do the work — light contact with the tooth surface is enough.