Q: What’s the Correct Way to Brush?

By Dr. Cheryl Bresnahan

My patients regularly ask whether or not they’re brushing their teeth correctly. Not too hard question to answer, but, depending on whether you use a manual or a power toothbrush, the techniques are slightly different.

For Manual Toothbrushing

Use a soft toothbrush or a soft bristle power toothbrush.
Apply a pea size sample of a non-abrasive ADA approved toothpaste.
If you are using a manual toothbrush, position the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle towards the gumline and move the toothbrush in small circular movements spending about 10 seconds on each area that the toothbrush head covers.
Then, move the toothbrush forward to cover the next group of teeth and continue around until all the teeth are brushed on both the inside and outside surfaces of your teeth, concentrating along the gumline the entire time.
The time needed to brush your teeth thoroughly using a manual toothbrush is about 4 – 5 minutes.

To see the proper technique for manual toothbrushing, take a minute to watch the video below from Dr. Mark Burhenne at Ask the Dentist.com.

For Power Toothbrushing

Apply a pea size sample of a non-abrasive ADA approved toothpaste.
Make sure you have some water in your mouth and purse your lips to contain it.
Put the toothbrush head into your mouth and then turn it on.
Position the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle towards the gumline, hold the toothbrush lightly, and slowly advance the toothbrush around the mouth and let the power toothbrush do all the work.
The time needed to brush your teeth thoroughly using a power toothbrush is 2 minutes.

To learn more about the benefits of power toothbrushes, please see my previous FAQ “Why Use a Power Toothbrush?“

Dr. Cheryl Bresnahan is a licensed dentist and the founder of Dental Perfections in Whitewater, WI. If you'd like to ask her a question, please visit the Ask Dr. Cheryl section of our Web site.

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