We provide oral hygiene guidance to patients visiting our clinic. This reminder brings the key points together. Attend check-ups and professional cleaning at the interval recommended for your needs: consistent care helps protect teeth, fillings and restorations.
Which toothbrush should I choose?
Both a manual and an electric toothbrush can clean effectively when used properly. An electric brush may help some people, but even an expensive device cannot compensate for poor technique or insufficient brushing time.
What makes a suitable toothbrush?
- Bristles designed for gentle, effective cleaning.
- A head small enough to reach all tooth surfaces comfortably.
- A well-designed, densely bristled head.
- Soft bristles: technique matters more than force.
Electric toothbrushes used by our team
These are examples of products our team has used. We have no partnership with the listed manufacturers. Other suitable brushes are available, and current models and availability may change.
- Xiaomi Oclean X Pro
- Oral-B iO Series 4
- Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean
- Examples of manual toothbrushes used by our team:
- Curaprox CS 5460
- Curaprox CS 3960
When should you brush?
Brush at least twice a day, once during the day and before bed. People with braces or particular needs may receive additional advice. More force or excessive brushing is not better.
After acidic food or drinks, avoid brushing immediately.
Acid can temporarily soften the tooth surface. Rinse with water and allow time before brushing; ask your dental team for advice suited to your diet and any erosion risk.
Tip: Rinsing with water after acidic drinks helps clear the mouth, but does not make aggressive immediate brushing advisable.
How long should you brush?
Brush thoroughly for at least two minutes, taking longer if needed to reach every surface. A timer or an electric brush's timing feature can help maintain a consistent routine.
The basics of effective brushing
Hold the brush gently. Use controlled movements rather than forceful scrubbing.
Clean the outer, inner and chewing surfaces. With a manual brush, use small movements at the gum line and adjust the angle to reach the inside of the front teeth.
Pay attention to the gum line and the back of the last tooth. If a tooth is missing, clean the exposed sides of the neighbouring teeth as well.
Avoid pressing too hard. Excess force can damage gums and tooth surfaces and wear the brush. With an electric brush, follow the manufacturer's technique, guiding the head slowly from tooth to tooth and around the gum line. Cover all surfaces and let the brush do the work.
Whichever brush you choose, follow a consistent sequence. Moving randomly makes it easier to miss an area or lose track of what you have cleaned.
One useful sequence:
- Outer surfaces of the lower teeth.
- Inner surfaces of the lower teeth.
- Lower chewing surfaces and the backs of the last teeth.
- Outer surfaces of the upper teeth.
- Inner surfaces of the upper teeth.
- Upper chewing surfaces and the backs of the last teeth.
Why can decay develop despite brushing?
People who brush regularly can still develop decay, particularly in areas the toothbrush does not reach. Age or an absence of pain does not rule it out.
Decay between teeth can remain hidden. A toothbrush alone cannot adequately clean every contact area, so suitable floss or interdental brushes are also important.
Interdental brushes
The surfaces between teeth make up a substantial part of the area that needs cleaning. Leaving them out leaves plaque behind.
Interdental brushes come in different sizes. The correct size depends on the space between the teeth, and you may need more than one size.
Ask your dentist or hygienist to demonstrate the right sizes and technique, especially if you have gum disease . The brush should fit snugly without force. If it does not pass comfortably, try a smaller size or use floss where appropriate.
How to use dental floss
- Wind the floss around your middle fingers.
- Hold a short working section between your thumbs and index fingers.
- Guide it gently through the contact and curve it into a C-shape against one tooth, then the neighbouring tooth.
- Move it gently up and down against the tooth surface, slightly below the gum edge without snapping or forcing it into the gum.
Cleaning dental bridges with specialist floss
A bridge needs the same careful brushing as natural teeth, plus cleaning beneath the replacement tooth.
A toothbrush cannot reach every area underneath a bridge. A floss threader or specialist bridge floss, such as Super Floss, may help with daily cleaning.
- The stiffened end can be guided beneath the bridge or through an accessible space.
- The thicker, spongy section cleans around supporting teeth and beneath the replacement tooth where access is difficult.
- The regular floss section can clean other suitable contact areas.
Cleaning the tongue
Gentle tongue cleaning may help remove coating and improve breath. A toothbrush or tongue cleaner can be used without excessive pressure. Persistent bad breath should be assessed, even if the teeth appear healthy.
For more practical detail on this topic, see why regular dental check-ups matter .