The Science of Brushing: Mastering the art of dental cleaning

Jessica Levco

January 30, 2025

According to the ADA, proper brushing with a fluoride toothpaste like Sensodyne toothpaste, flossing daily and routine visits for a dental cleaning twice a year can help you prevent gum disease and tooth decay.

Are you brushing your teeth properly? Are you sure?

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing our teeth for two minutes, twice a day. But a study highlighted by Dentistry Today found that one-third of American adults do not follow the recommendation. And the Face and Jaw Surgery Center found that only one in 10 people brush their teeth properly. These statistics suggest that many Americans may not be brushing their teeth correctly.

Proper brushing with a fluoride toothpaste like Sensodyne toothpaste, flossing daily and routine visits for a dental cleaning twice a year can help you prevent gum disease and tooth decay.

But we know that going to the dentist twice a year can get expensive. At Altogether Dental, we believe quality dental care, including dental cleaning, should be accessible to everyone.

Before you go to your next appointment, let’s take a look at how to brush your teeth properly.

The Mechanics of Teeth Brushing

The ADA offers several oral health tips for the proper tooth-brushing technique. These tips include:

Angle: Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against your gums to help remove plaque from above and below the gum line. To clean the inner surfaces of your front teeth, tilt the toothbrush vertically and use several up-and-down strokes.
Pressure: Use gentle, short strokes (the width of a tooth) to move the brush back and forth.
Motions: Brush all areas of your teeth: the outer surfaces, inner surfaces, and chewing surfaces.
Duration: Two minutes, twice a day.

Remember, when you brush, it’s not just about your teeth. How you hold your toothbrush can make a difference in the health of your gums. If you’re too heavy-handed, you can scratch the gums, which can lead to damage and gum recession. You also run the risk of scratching the enamel on your teeth, Sensodyne warns.

Brush gently with short, tooth-wide strokes to clean the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of your teeth. For the inside of the front teeth, you should tilt the brush vertically and use up-and-down strokes.

Toothbrush Technology

Selecting the right toothbrush can be a cause of anxiety because there are so many options – both electric toothbrush vs. manual – available. Your dentist can suggest the best style for you at your routine visit. An ADA review found that toothbrushes with multilevel or angled bristles are best for plaque removal. It recommends soft bristles to reduce the risk of gum damage, including gum recession.

You have several dental cleaning options to consider when it comes to toothbrush technology. Powered toothbrushes can be easier to use for people with limited dexterity, such as the elderly, people with disabilities, children, or those with braces. If you’re considering an electric toothbrush, you can check this list of ADA-approved products.

Regardless of the type of brush you select, remember that proper care is needed, too. Replace manual toothbrushes every three to four months and replace electric toothbrush heads just as often. A worn toothbrush head won’t clean teeth well, the ADA says.

Beyond the Brush

While brushing twice a day for two minutes is the recommendation, you should use dental floss to clean between your teeth once a day for plaque removal and to dislodge food particles that toothbrush bristles can’t reach. This helps eliminate decay-causing bacteria that hide between teeth and along the gum line, the ADA says.

Brushing before eating clears away overnight plaque, which prevents you from swallowing bacteria. If you brush after breakfast, wait at least 30 minutes to let your tooth enamel recover from acidic foods.

Did you know that you don’t have to rinse after brushing? According to Sensodyne, by rinsing, you might be removing the toothpaste’s residual fluoride that helps protect your teeth.

Remember, what you eat also impacts your oral health. The ADA encourages a balanced diet that limits sugary drinks and snacks to keep your teeth strong and gums healthy.

Professional Teeth Cleaning

Routine dental cleanings are essential for maintaining healthy gums and teeth. During a cleaning, your dental professional removes plaque, tartar and stains from the tooth surfaces above the gumline. This promotes good oral health.

When you’re ready to schedule a dental cleaning, Altogether Dental is here to help. With our dental membership, on average, Altogether Dental members pay $69 for a dental cleaning, saving up to 47% on out-of-pocket costs.

Angela, an Altogether Dental member, says, “I hadn't been to a dentist in a while and wanted a check-up. I got an exam, X-rays, a cleaning and a filling. The discount I received was nearly 50% – over $200 – which is outstanding considering the low cost of becoming a member. Overall, Altogether Dental delivered great value!”

When you’re with Altogether Dental, it’s easy to find a dentist in your area and schedule an appointment. Once you’ve found your dentist, you can schedule an appointment online or by calling their office. You can also talk directly to our Altogether Dental concierge service team with any questions.