4. Brushing Well

You don't have to brush your teeth... just the ones you want to keep. — Anonymous

How toothpaste works:

Contrary to popular belief, toothpaste's chemicals aren't the primary method of cleaning teeth. Instead, toothpaste contains abrasive ingredients that scrub away plaque from teeth, preventing stains and bacteria from forming on them [1]. This is the main reason that you've probably been told to brush your teeth, as the chemical compounds alone will not help.

But that does not mean that toothpaste's ingredients do nothing. Many of the chemicals added work to create a foam that helps dislodge plaque, debris, and bacteria from teeth [1, 2].

Additionally, some kinds of toothpaste contain baking soda and/or hydrogen peroxide, which help give your teeth and mouth that iconic "clean" feeling [1, 2, 3]. If you're worried about these chemicals harming your teeth, scientific research has shown time and time again that they are safe to use. You read about the science behind baking soda in the "Research Explained" section below.

With that said, the main active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your teeth from wear and tear is fluoride, a chemical compound that coats your teeth in a protective film after brushing. Like baking soda, you can analyze the evidence behind fluoride under the "Research Explained" section.

Common mistakes:

As you might have guessed, brushing is one of the best ways to keep your mouth clean and the surest way to have white, shining teeth [1]. But, it is usually the simplest tasks that are easiest to mess up [no research, just sounds right]. The bolded words below cover all the common ways people mess up tooth brushing, but there is more information and citations nested underneath each toggle:

As a reminder, good students/readers don't need to take notes. We've already condensed this entire guide into one cheat sheet. Relax your mind and let the information soak in.

The correct brushing technique:

Not that we've got the science out of the way, let's put it all together in a simple seven-step process:

1. Wet your toothbrush with a small amount of water
2. Put a small amount of toothpaste (about the size of a single pea) on your brush
3. Use gentle, short, circular strokes to brush your gums and front teeth
4. Flip the toothbrush and brush the inside of your teeth at a 45° degree angle
5. Then brush your tongue in long strokes with either your toothbrush or a tongue scraper
6. Store your toothbrush in an enclosed environment
7. Finish by rinsing your mouth with cold water or mouthwash

Repeat this process twice daily for two minutes at a time, preferably in the morning and before bed. Most people—guide writers included—underestimate how long they brush their teeth [1, 2].

To avoid that, set a timer (digital or otherwise) for two minutes and do not stop brushing until the full amount of time has gone by. After a few weeks of timing yourself, you'll become accustomed to brushing for two minutes, at which point you can stop using a timer.

And finally, make sure to throw away your old toothbrush and replace it with a new one every 3 months. Your mouth, no matter how much you clean it, will eventually make your toothbrush smell like fart.

Recommendations:

Since there is a huge array of dental options to choose from, here are a few recommendations that follow the science outlined above, as yet another side note, all the products below are Amazon affiliate links that help support these guides.

You are a true hermit if you don't have an Amazon account. Although, it's quite strange that you found this guide. You must truly care about your teeth, smart hermit.

• How toothpaste works:
• Common mistakes:
• The correct brushing technique:
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Research Explained
• Recommendations:

3. Straightening Teeth 5. Further Whitening