Showing our patients how to get the most out of their tooth cleaning routine is one of the most important services we offer. Knowing the essentials of how to keep your teeth clean will help you avoid decay, dental pain related to decay, gum disease, and premature tooth loss.
How To Clean Your Teeth Properly
Toothbrushing – what you need to know
- You should be brushing twice a day, once in the morning and once at night after your last meal and drink (apart from water).
- You should use an electric toothbrush with an in-built pressure sensor that warns you when you are brushing too hard. This will help you avoid brushing too hard and wearing down your tooth enamel.
- Brush either 30 minutes before or after your first meal of the day. This will allow your toothpaste to provide the essential protection they need from cavities, and your enamel will not be softened from the sugars contained in your breakfast (even small amounts of sugar can soften your enamel).
Flossing – what you need to know
- You should floss ideally after every meal. This said, if you’re flossing at least twice a day, this is great and you’re doing well with your oral care.
- Flossing dislodges the particles stuck in between your teeth after meals. When these get left behind, they rot between your teeth, causing decay and cavities (holes) in your tooth enamel. Trapped food particle are also responsible for bad breath. Simply flossing twice a day can significantly improve your breath.
- Flossing ensures you clean all of your tooth surfaces, notable those between your teeth that a brush will never be able to reach.
Toothpaste – what you need to know
- Use toothpaste containing fluoride, the essential ingredient for protecting tooth enamel. Fluoride has been proven to reduce the risk of developing decay by up to 25% (so this is a pointer really worth observing!)
- Fluoride toothpaste can even reverse the early signs of decay, and remineralise tooth enamel after acid attacks.
- Make sure you don’t rinse your mouth immediately after brushing – this rinses the fluoride away without first giving it the chance to work its protective properties on your teeth (ideally, wait 30 minutes before drinking).

Dental floss – what you need to know
- There are several types of dental floss and one size doesn’t fit all.
- Dental tape = best for people with enough dexterity to reach all parts of their mouth/usually best for people who can open their mouth wide enough to reach the back teeth.
- Flossing harps = easier to use than dental type and are best for those with less dexterity (children and older people). Best for – people with low dexterity.
- Water flossers = gentle flossing device that has been clinically proven to remove a similar amount of plaque compared to dental tape. A water flosser is a handheld device that makes flossing much easier, as there is no need to manoeuvre the floss around the mouth – it does the hard work for you. Best for – everybody.
- Interdental cleaner = this consists of a stiff brush that you can place between each tooth and rotate to clean them. Best for – a supplement to dental tape or flossing harps (if these are not getting rid of the harder-to-access food particles between your teeth, or if your teeth sit very close together.
Mouthwash – what you need to know
- Mouthwash should be used after lunch. This will help to freshen your breath after you’ve flossed, and neutralises the acids created by the bacteria that forms after eating. In neutralising the pH of this bacteria, your risk of decay is lower.
- Don’t use mouthwash straight after brushing, as it will remove the fluoride provided by your toothpaste.
- Use an alcohol-free mouthwash. We recommend alcohol-based mouthwash only for short periods to remove issues such as infections.
The role of water for keeping your teeth clean
- Water should be a daily part of your diet – it provides amazing protection against oral health condition (alongside sticking to the habits above of course!)
- Unfortunately, a 2024 study found that 75% of Brits drink less than 1 litre of water each day. What’s more, many people aren’t incrementally drinking water throughout the day, which reduces the protection water can offer as a cleanser for your mouth.
- Sipping on water between meals (and especially after you’ve flossed) can help to make sure there aren’t any bits of unwelcome food particles left in your mouth.
- To get the full cleansing effects of water, avoid drinking through a straw, allowing the water to make contact with the areas between your teeth.
Contact us for brushing advice and personalised dental care plans
Need more advice on oral hygiene care? We can provide personalised brushing and flossing coaching, to help you apply the most efficient technique possible morning and night.
With better brushing and flossing technique comes significantly better protection against cavities, and it’s something your future self with thank you for as the years go by, when you avoid restorative dental work related to poor oral hygiene habits.
Contact us to book in with a dentist in Leeds – we really look forward to helping you get the most out of your at-home oral care.
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