How to brush your teeth properly

How often should you brush, and what toothpaste helps?

Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for about two minutes each time. Healthdirect recommends brushing in the morning after breakfast and before bed, and notes that thorough brushing for two minutes twice a day reduces your risk of tooth decay (healthdirect).

A toothbrush is a soft-bristled cleaning tool that removes plaque from tooth surfaces and along the gumline. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria; left in place, it can contribute to decay and gum inflammation. Healthdirect advises a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste on soft bristles, and Queensland Health likewise recommends a soft, small-headed brush with fluoride toothpaste (healthdirect; Queensland Government).

AMK Dental Clinic in Mortlake does not endorse particular brands. Your dentist can review your toothpaste, brush and technique at a check-up and clean. If treatment beyond home care is recommended, you receive an itemised written estimate before anything goes ahead.

What brushing technique should adults use?

Use soft circular motions with light pressure rather than hard side-to-side scrubbing, and cover the outer, inner and chewing surfaces of every tooth. Healthdirect advises wetting soft bristles, using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, setting a timer for two minutes, and — with a manual brush — brushing in circles so you also clean near the gumline (healthdirect).

Queensland Health describes placing the brush head at about a 45-degree angle to the gum margin, then using a small circular, forward-and-backward, jiggling or vibrating motion over each tooth on the inner and outer surfaces, and a light back-and-forth action on the chewing surfaces (Queensland Government). Better Health Channel similarly recommends small circles along the gumline on the front, back and chewing surfaces (Better Health Channel).

The Australian Dental Association’s manual-brush guide includes wetting the bristles, placing them at about a 45-degree angle (half over the teeth, half over the gums), working around each corner of the mouth, and covering the outside, inside and top surfaces (teeth.org.au).

Practical points that match those sources:

• Soft bristles and a small head
• About two minutes, twice a day (a timer, phone alarm or in-built brush timer can help)
• Soft circular motions and light pressure — avoid scrubbing hard
• Outer, inner and chewing surfaces of every tooth
• Replace the brush or electric head about every three months, or sooner if bristles look worn (healthdirect; see how often should you replace your toothbrush)

Should you spit or rinse after brushing?

After brushing, spit out the foam and avoid rinsing with water so fluoride can stay on the teeth longer. Healthdirect, Queensland Health and the ADA all give this spit-rather-than-rinse advice (healthdirect; Queensland Government; teeth.org.au). Spit the paste out; do not swallow it.

Mouthwash is optional for most people and does not replace brushing or cleaning between the teeth. Read do you need mouthwash? if you are weighing that choice with your dentist.

Do electric and manual brushes both work?

Yes. Both electric and manual toothbrushes can clean well when technique is careful. Healthdirect notes that how you brush matters as much as the type of brush, and that a good toothbrush has a small head and soft bristles whether powered or used by hand (healthdirect).

With an electric brush, Healthdirect advises moving the head slowly over every surface and tilting it so you clean near the gums; you can also brush your tongue (healthdirect). Queensland Health describes placing the head at the gum margin, guiding it over outside and inside surfaces, and cleaning the chewing surfaces (Queensland Government). Better Health Channel adds that you should not press too hard or scrub — let the brush do the work (Better Health Channel).

Some electric models include a two-minute timer (often with a cue every 30 seconds for each corner of the mouth) and a pressure sensor that signals if you are pressing too hard (teeth.org.au). Those features support timing and pressure control; they do not replace covering every tooth surface.

For a fuller comparison, see electric versus manual toothbrushes. AMK does not sell or promote particular products; ask your dentist which features may suit your mouth.

Why clean between teeth as well?

A toothbrush does not reach the spaces between teeth, where plaque also collects. Healthdirect advises flossing at least once a day as well as brushing twice a day (healthdirect). See how to floss properly for technique and when other interdental tools may help.

Regular check-ups and cleans let your dental team review plaque control, demonstrate technique, and remove hardened plaque (calculus) that home brushing cannot remove. Healthdirect recommends seeing your dental practitioner every six to twelve months, or as often as they recommend (healthdirect).

This page is general information only. It is not a personal diagnosis or treatment plan. Ask your dentist what is suitable for your teeth and gums.

Booking a check-up in Mortlake

AMK Dental Clinic is at Shop 3, 46 Tennyson Road, Mortlake NSW 2137. We serve Mortlake and nearby suburbs including Breakfast Point, Cabarita, Concord, Rhodes and North Strathfield.

For a brushing technique review or a routine check-up, book online or call (02) 9739 6525. See opening hours on the Contact page. More at www.amkdental.com.au.

This article is general information only and is not a substitute for advice about your own situation. Please speak with a dentist about your needs.

Clinically reviewed by Dr Ali Khalessi (Dentist), BDS (Otago), PG Dip Clin Dent (Periodontology), MRACDS · Last reviewed 30 September 2026