Spoiler: Beautiful and healthy teeth aren't just about the toothbrush or toothpaste.
Since we were kids, we’ve been taught the golden rule of tooth brushing is three minutes. Some people only brush their teeth at night and just use a brush, thinking that's enough. Truth is, if you want to keep your mouth and teeth healthy, you can’t just shrug off this routine.
In the text below, you'll learn how to properly build a tooth brushing routine, what experts recommend, and get tips on products that will level up your oral hygiene game.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the time of writing. They may change over time.
1. Understand what skipping brushing can do
This is especially for those who skip regular tooth cleaning – because besides bad breath, you risk health issues. Everything you eat and drink gets caught between your teeth or sticks to your enamel. These leftovers turn into plaque, and if left on your teeth too long, they harden into tartar, which can’t be removed through typical brushing.
"Inside tartar are bacteria that release acids causing decay, damage enamel, and create tunnels inside the tooth towards the nerve and jawbone, leading to infection if untreated. From there, bacteria can spread to other parts of the body, including the brain, heart, and lungs," says Dr. Tien Jiang, a prosthodontist at Harvard's Department of Oral Health and Epidemiology.
Not to mention, in extreme cases, gum irritation can lead to tooth loss.
2. Choosing a toothbrush + proper technique
You've got plenty of choices: plastic bristles, natural bristles, soft, hard, rotating, vibrating, etc. Experts say it’s not about the type of toothbrush but how you use it.
However, if you have sensitive teeth and gums, definitely go for a softer-bristle brush. If not, choose firmer bristles.
Generally, it’s recommended to change your toothbrush every three to four months, or when the bristles get dirty or worn (like a frayed broom).
As mentioned, it’s not the brush but how you use it. Experts recommend brushing your teeth twice a day with toothpaste for about two minutes – one minute for the upper row, one minute for the lower row.
It’s important to use the brush at an angle. "The bristles should be directed towards the gums, where they meet the teeth, which is where plaque and tartar accumulate. You don’t want the bristles perpendicular at a 90-degree angle to the teeth, but at a 45-degree angle," says Dr. Jiang.
Use the bristles to make gentle circles to capture all debris at the gum line. Don’t scrub too hard – you'll unnecessarily irritate your gums and they might bleed.
@joycethedentist Back to basics: how to brush with a manual toothbrush ❤️ #brushyourteeth #toothbrush #electrictoothbrush #howtobrushyourteeth ♬ She Share Story (for Vlog) - 山口夕依
🛒 Add to cart:
- MEDIBLANC 5490 Ultra Soft Limited Edition – ultra-soft bristle toothbrushes (254 Kč with code FORYOU)
- Philips Sonicare 3100 HX3671/11 – sonic electric toothbrush (1 169 Kč with code FORYOU)
3. Fluoride is the way
Just like toothbrushes, there’s a ton of toothpaste out there, whether you’re searching by ingredients, flavor, or effect. But experts are clear: your routine should include fluoride toothpaste.
Fluoride helps prevent cavities by increasing enamel resistance to acid attacks. It also reverses early stage decay. Look for names like sodium fluoride, stannous fluoride, or sodium monofluorophosphate on the packaging.
Basically, fluoride should be a key ingredient in your toothpaste. If you’re after a whitening effect, find ingredients like silica, pyrophosphates, hydrogen peroxide, or carbamide peroxide to remove external stains and lighten teeth color.
🛒 Add to cart:
- ELMEX Repair Enamel Repair Toothpaste 75 ml – fluoride toothpaste with Micro-Sealing technology to remineralize weak enamel spots (117 Kč with code FORYOU).
- BlanX Intensive Stain Removal – whitening toothpaste with 100% natural bamboo extract, arctic lichen, and silica (82 Kč with code FORYOU).
4. Interdental brushes, floss, and scrapers are more important than you think
Your routine shouldn’t stop at just a brush and toothpaste. To make sure your mouth is really clean, you need to complete a few more steps.
Experts recommend using interdental brushes before brushing and flossing at least once a day. These help remove food debris or plaque between teeth and along the gum line, areas toothpaste usually doesn’t reach. They also reduce the likelihood of gum soreness, swelling, and redness.
An alternative is a water flosser, which is more effective at cleaning between the teeth than traditional floss.
@doctor.renae Top 5 Water Flosser Mistakes 1️⃣ Aiming at your teeth instead of along the gumline, angle it 90° to clean under the gum and not just blast your teeth. 2️⃣ Not closing your mouth around the tip, unless you want water all over your mirror 😂 3️⃣ Rushing through, it should take at least 60–90 seconds to go tooth by tooth. 4️⃣ Cranking up the pressure too soon — start low and work your way up. 5️⃣ Leaving water sitting in the tank — empty and air-dry after each use to avoid bacteria buildup. And don’t forget to floss with traditional floss and brush after! Do it right and your gums will thank you. • #gumdisease #waterpik #oralhealth #waterflosser #flosslikeapro ♬ original sound - Renae Sweeney
Many also overlook the importance of tongue scrapers, which effectively remove plaque, food debris, and bacteria causing bad breath. The key is technique – scrape thoroughly from the back of the tongue to the front.
Don’t forget mouthwash. Just 30 seconds of rinsing for fresh breath, added protection against gum disease and cavities, and reduced bacteria in your mouth.
🛒 Add to cart:
- Curaprox Prime Start – interdental brushes (184 Kč with code FORYOU)
- Elmex Caries Protection – mint-flavored dental floss (111 Kč with code FORYOU)
- Philips Sonicare HX3826/33 – water flosser with three intensity levels (from 2 319 Kč)
- Curaprox Tongue Cleaner CTC 201 – tongue scraper (83 Kč with code FORYOU)
- LACALUT Aktiv Mouthwash 300 ml – mouthwash for daily prevention against inflammation, cavities, and plaque (116 Kč with code FORYOU).
