Guide to Dental Hygiene

Brushing our teeth is something we do every day – so it should be simple, right? Surprisingly, this straightforward part of our daily routine can be easy to get wrong. To make sure your pearly whites are pristine, just follow our guide to dental hygiene for both yourself and your children.

Shot of an attractive young woman brushing her teeth in the bathroom at home

What’s The Right Way To Brush?

First thing’s first, make sure you’re brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice a day for about two minutes to keep your teeth clean and healthy. For a thorough clean, brush teeth using short, gentle strokes. Pay extra attention to the gum line and those hard-to-reach back areas around the back of mouth. Don't forget to brush your tongue for fresher breath.

Brushing Tips

Always place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums
Remember to brush the inside surfaces, outside surfaces and chewing surfaces of your teeth
Try using a stopwatch to ensure that you’re brushing for at least two minutes
For effective cleaning, change your toothbrush every 3 months, or if you’ve recently had a cold

What Toothbrush Should I Use?

There are two main options available; manual and electric toothbrushes. If you decide that a manual toothbrush is best for you, small-headed brushes are preferable as they can reach all areas of the mouth, including those hard-to-reach back teeth.

For some, an electric toothbrush is better as the oscillating soft bristles can do a better job at removing debris from the surface of the teeth.

Sorry, this product is currently out of stock.

Pro Care Superdrug Pro Care Gum Protect Toothbrush £1.99

Colgate Colgate Max White Medium Toothbrush 3 Pack £6.99

Pro Care Superdrug ProCare Rechargeable Advanced Electric Toothbrush £34.99

What Toothpaste Should I Use?

The right toothpaste is essential for fabulously fresh breath and a squeaky clean smile. There are plenty of products out there, so make sure you choose one that’s suited to your needs. For stained teeth, opt for whitening or charcoal toothpaste, or choose sensitive toothpaste for painful teeth. For an extra fresh finish, use floss to remove plaque and rinse with a minty mouthwash.

Oral B Oral-B 3D White Luxe Perfection Whitening Toothpaste 75ml £2.99 Better than 1/2 price on selected Oral B

Superdrug Superdrug Whitening Charcoal Toothpaste 75ml £3.19 £2 Members Only! on selected Superdrug Charcoal Toothpaste

Oral B Oral-B Pro Expert Multi Protect Mouthwash 500ml £2.50

Shot of a mother and her little daughter brushing their teeth in the bathroom

Top Tips for Cleaning Children's Teeth

A regular teeth brushing routine is essential for your children to maintain healthy, strong teeth. Not sure where to start when looking after little teeth? Here's our top tips:

You can start brushing your child's teeth as soon as the first milk tooth appears - which will usually be around 6 months old.
If your child is old enough to brush their own teeth, make sure they are always supervised when doing so.
Brush their teeth twice a day, for two minutes each time (one being before bed) with a fluoride toothpaste.
Use only a smear of toothpaste on their toothbrush.
Use a mirror so your child can see exactly where they should brushing.
If they are over three years old, they should spit out the toothpaste and rinse their mouth.