How to Properly Brush and Floss

How to properly brush and floss: use a 45-degree angle, gentle strokes, and daily flossing to remove plaque and keep teeth and gums healthy.

By Dr. Caleb Goodman, dentist — guest post for the Tidalove blog.

Brushing and flossing are two simple habits that help keep your teeth and gums healthy. However, the way you brush and floss matters just as much as doing it every day. Using the right technique helps remove plaque, clean areas where food gets trapped, and prevent common dental problems. In this blog, we will explain how to brush and floss your teeth properly, along with a few things to keep in mind while cleaning your mouth.

Why Proper Brushing and Flossing Are Essential

Food particles and plaque can build up on your teeth throughout the day. If you do not remove them regularly, they can contribute to tooth decay, gum problems, bad breath, and staining. Knowing how to brush and floss properly helps you clean your teeth more thoroughly and maintain better oral hygiene.

Here is how these habits help:

1. Prevention of Tooth Decay

Plaque contains bacteria that produce acids when they break down sugars from food. These acids can damage your tooth enamel and cause cavities. Regular brushing and flossing help reduce plaque buildup and lower the risk of tooth decay and dental fillings becoming necessary to treat cavities.

2. Prevention of Periodontal Disease

Plaque that builds up along the gumline can irritate your gums and lead to gum disease. Cleaning your teeth and the spaces between them helps keep your gums healthy.

3. Prevention of Halitosis

Food particles and bacteria trapped between teeth can cause bad breath. Brushing, flossing, and cleaning your tongue help remove the buildup responsible for unpleasant odours.

4. Prevention of Staining

Regular brushing helps remove surface stains caused by foods, drinks, and other substances before they become harder to clean.

How to Brush Your Teeth Properly

Brushing twice a day for two minutes with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste helps keep your teeth clean.

If you prefer an alternative to tube toothpaste, Tidalove toothpaste tablets are available in both fluoride and fluoride-free formulas. You simply crush a tablet, brush with a wet toothbrush, and rinse.

Whichever toothpaste you use, follow these steps to get the most out of your brushing routine.

1. Position Your Toothbrush Correctly: Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle towards your gumline. This helps you clean the area where plaque often collects.
2. Use Gentle Movements: Move the brush in short, gentle strokes. Take your time instead of rushing through the process, especially around the gumline.
3. Avoid Excessive Pressure: Pressing too hard can irritate your gums and wear down your enamel over time. A soft-bristled toothbrush and light pressure are usually enough to remove plaque.
4. Clean All Tooth Surfaces: Brush the outer and inner surfaces of your teeth, including the areas near your gums. Pay attention to the teeth at the back of your mouth, as they can be easy to miss.
5. Focus on Chewing Surfaces: Brush the tops of your back teeth carefully. Their grooves can trap food particles, so make sure you reach these areas rather than brushing only the front surfaces.
6. Clean Your Tongue: Gently brush your tongue or use a tongue cleaner to remove bacteria and buildup that can contribute to bad breath.

How to Floss Your Teeth Properly

Your toothbrush cannot reach every space between your teeth. Flossing helps remove plaque and food particles from these areas, including spots just below the gumline. Follow these steps to floss without hurting your gums.

1. Use Enough Floss: Cut around 18 inches of dental floss. Wrap most of it around the middle fingers of both hands, leaving a few inches to work with.
2. Guide the Floss Gently: Hold the floss firmly between your thumbs and index fingers. Carefully slide it between your teeth instead of snapping it down against your gums.
3. Reach the Gumline: Move the floss gently just below the gumline, without forcing it into the tissue. This helps clean areas where plaque can collect.
4. Form a C-Shape: Curve the floss around one tooth so it forms a C-shape. This allows it to follow the side of the tooth rather than simply passing through the gap.
5. Clean Both Sides: Move the floss up and down against the side of one tooth, then repeat the movement against the neighbouring tooth. Use a clean section of floss as you move from one gap to another.
6. Avoid Aggressive Movements: Do not pull or force the floss into your gums. If you have trouble reaching certain areas, an interdental brush or another suitable cleaning aid may help.

Closing Thoughts

Proper brushing and flossing do not need to be complicated, but they do require a little care and consistency. Brush twice a day for two minutes, floss daily, and make sure you clean the areas that are easy to overlook. These habits help control plaque and reduce the risk of cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. Regular dental checkups can also help your dentist spot problems early and guide you towards a routine that suits your teeth and gums.

About the Author

Dr. Caleb Goodman is a highly experienced dentist and the proud owner of Goodman Dental in Goodyear. With over a decade in the dental field, he’s passionate about helping patients overcome dental issues, relieve pain, and feel confident in their smiles. A graduate of the University of Arizona and Midwestern University, Dr. Goodman is also a member of the Arizona Dental Association and serves as the team dentist for the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians during spring training.