What Is the Right Way to Brush?

Proper brushing takes at least two minutes — that’s right, 120 seconds! Most adults do not come close to brushing that long. To get a feel for the time involved, try using a stopwatch. To properly brush your teeth, use short, gentle strokes, paying extra attention to the gumline, hard-to-reach back teeth and areas around fillings, crowns or other restoration. Concentrate on thoroughly cleaning each section as follows:

•     Clean the outer surfaces of your upper teeth, then your lower teeth
•     Clean the inner surfaces of your upper teeth, then your lower teeth
•     Clean the chewing surfaces
•     For fresher breath, be sure to brush your tongue, too