How to position the brush
Angle the bristles at about 45 degrees towards the gum line so the tips reach the sulcus between tooth and gum - where plaque accumulates first.
The movement
- Vibrate gently in place 10-15 times over every two or three teeth.
- Sweep the brush from the gum towards the biting surface.
- Repeat evenly on the outer, inner and biting surfaces.
Three common mistakes
- Hard horizontal scrubbing - this abrades the tooth neck and causes gum recession over time.
- Skipping the inner surface of the lower front teeth, where calculus forms fastest.
- Choosing hard bristles in the belief that they clean better.
Confirm with your clinician
Patients in orthodontic treatment, with restorations, or with existing recession need individual instruction - a general technique does not replace an assessment of your own condition.
This page helps you understand our clinical thinking and ask better questions; the final treatment plan is confirmed after an in-person examination.