Daily oral care routine
A few simple habits — done every day — protect your teeth, gums and breath better than any single dental visit.
Brushing
- Brush twice a day — morning and just before bed.
- Two full minutes each time (about 30 seconds per quadrant).
- Use a soft-bristled brush and a fluoride toothpaste.
- Gentle small circles at a 45° angle to the gum — no hard scrubbing.
- Replace the brush every 3 months, or sooner if the bristles fray.
- After brushing, spit — don't rinse with water — so the fluoride stays on the teeth.
Flossing / between-teeth cleaning
- Once a day, ideally in the evening.
- Wrap the floss in a C-shape around each tooth and slide gently under the gum.
- Interdental brushes are a great alternative for larger gaps or under bridges.
- A water flosser helps but does not fully replace floss or interdental brushes.
Tongue cleaning
- Once a day with a tongue scraper (or the back of your toothbrush).
- Gently from back to front, 3 to 5 times, then rinse the scraper.
- Removes bacteria and reduces bad breath.
Mouthwash (optional)
- An alcohol-free fluoride mouthwash can help — but it is optional.
- Use at a different time than brushing so you do not wash the toothpaste fluoride away.
- Antibacterial mouthwashes should not be used long-term without a dentist recommending it.
Diet and habits
- Limit sugary snacks and drinks between meals — frequency matters more than quantity.
- Drink water after acidic drinks (soda, juice, coffee).
- Wait about 30 minutes before brushing after acidic food or drink.
- Do not smoke or vape.
- Wear a mouthguard for contact sports.
For children
- First dental visit by age 1 or when the first tooth appears.
- Parents brush their child's teeth until about age 6–7.
- Rice-grain amount of fluoride toothpaste under age 3, pea-sized from age 3.
- First precautionary orthodontic screening around age 7, when the first permanent teeth start to appear.
If you wear braces, aligners or dentures
- Braces: use interdental brushes and a floss threader; brush after every meal when possible.
- Aligners: brush and floss before putting them back in; clean the trays with a soft brush and cool water.
- Dentures: remove and clean daily with a soft brush and denture cleaner; leave out overnight to let the gums breathe.
Professional check-ups
- Visit a dentist every 6 to 12 months, even without pain.
- Ask for a professional cleaning at least once a year.
- Any pain, bleeding or swelling that lasts more than a couple of days should be checked.
This is simple educational information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a dental examination. Your dentist may recommend something different depending on your mouth, X-rays, pain, infection, gums, bone, medical history, and clinical judgment.