Start with the Right Equipment

First, make sure you're using a brush with a head that's small enough to reach all parts of your mouth. Always choose soft or medium bristles and replace your toothbrush about once every three months.

Use Enough Paste

Your squeeze of paste should cover the length of your brush's head (an amount known as a "nurdle").

Work the Angle

Tilt your brush to a 45-degree angle and press slightly against the gum. Using long, sweeping strokes, roll the brush over the teeth, from the gum line to the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Use the same press and roll motion to brush the inside of your teeth, and always go from the gum line toward the chewing surfaces, for both upper and lower jaws. Don't forget to clean the chewing surfaces of your teeth with short brush strokes. Be gentle - brushing too forcefully can damage enamel and gums.

Know Your Habits

Did you know that most people start out brushing harder and then let up? They also usually start in the same place each time - right-handers in the upper left and left-handers in the upper right. That can cause excess wear on certain teeth.

One method is to start with the outer areas of your upper back teeth. They're often missed and tend to have the most plaque build up. Or, you may want to change where you start each time to make sure you are thoroughly cleaning all your teeth and also avoiding excessive wear.

Wherever you start - remember to brush the inner and outer surfaces as well as the chewing surfaces of your teeth. Brushing your tongue gently from back to front helps remove that white film (containing bacteria) that can cause bad breath.

Brush Longer for Stronger Teeth

You've probably heard your dentist say that you should brush for at least two minutes, every time. And there are good reasons why you should. The average person only brushes for about 45 seconds. Clinical studies have shown that brushing for 2 minutes removes 26% more plaque than brushing for just 45 seconds*. Also, your teeth can absorb the fluoride from your toothpaste. Brushing for 2 minutes keeps teeth exposed to the fluoride for longer, strengthening them from the inside out.

Now, spit out your toothpaste - the fluoride continues to work after you're done!