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Brushing

Brushing up on your dental health

toothbrush headWe all know we need to brush our teeth. However there's still a lot of misunderstanding about the best brushing action. And we're hanging onto our old brushes too long. Check out our tips and brush up on better dental habits.

Twice a day

At the very least you should be brushing your teeth after breakfast and before you go to bed at night. If you've got some toothpaste and a toothbrush at work, that's even better because then you can clean your teeth after lunch too.

How to brush

There's no need to scrub. A gentle, rolling motion is all you need. Just make sure you start by angling the head of the brush at a 45 degree angle and placing the bristles against the tooth at the gum line. Don't rush your brush. It should take around 2 minutes to get every tooth, front and back.

Need a new one?

Toothbrushes last about 3 months. When the bristles get shaggy or worn, it's time for a change. You might also want to consider changing your brush if your manual dexterity is limited. Think about getting a brush with a modified handle (longer, thicker or bent) or buying an electric toothbrush.

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Last Updated: 10 November 2008
Last Reviewed: 10 November 2008