How to Properly Brush Your Teeth with an Electric Toothbrush

The Difference Between Electric and Manual Technique

If you've recently switched from a manual toothbrush, you'll need to adjust your brushing technique. The most common mistake new electric toothbrush users make is brushing the same way they did with a manual brush - using too much pressure and moving too quickly.

With an electric toothbrush, the brush does most of the work for you. Your job is simply to guide it slowly along each tooth surface, letting the powered bristles remove plaque and debris.

Step-by-Step Brushing Guide

Step 1: Prepare Your Brush

Apply a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste to your brush head. There's no need for more - excess toothpaste can actually reduce the brush's effectiveness by creating too much foam.

Step 2: Position the Brush

Place the brush head against your teeth at a 45-degree angle to your gumline. This angle allows the bristles to clean both the tooth surface and the crucial gum margin where plaque tends to accumulate.

Step 3: Divide Your Mouth into Quadrants

Mentally divide your mouth into four sections:

• Upper right
• Upper left
• Lower right
• Lower left

Spend 30 seconds on each quadrant for a total brushing time of 2 minutes. Most electric toothbrushes have a built-in timer that will pulse or pause every 30 seconds to remind you to move to the next section.

Step 4: Let the Brush Do the Work

This is the most important step. Hold the brush gently against each tooth for a few seconds before moving to the next. Do not scrub back and forth as you would with a manual brush. Simply guide the brush slowly along your teeth.

Step 5: Clean All Surfaces

For each tooth, make sure you clean:

• Outer surface: The side facing your cheeks and lips
• Inner surface: The side facing your tongue
• Chewing surface: The top of your back teeth

Step 6: Don't Forget Your Gumline and Tongue

Gently brush along the gumline where your teeth meet your gums. Many people neglect this area, but it's where gum disease often begins. After brushing your teeth, gently brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

Common Technique Mistakes

Pressing Too Hard

This is by far the most common mistake. Pressing hard doesn't clean better - it can actually damage your gums and wear away enamel over time. A gentle touch is all you need.

Moving Too Quickly

Rushing through your brushing means you're not giving the brush enough time to clean each tooth properly. Slow down and spend 2-3 seconds per tooth.

Using the Wrong Motion

With an oscillating brush (like Oral-B), simply hold the brush against each tooth. With a sonic brush (like Sonicare), you can use small back-and-forth motions, but keep them gentle and slow.

Ignoring the Back Teeth

Your molars are harder to reach but just as important to clean. Make a conscious effort to guide the brush all the way to your back teeth, including the very back surface of your last molars.

Optimising Your Routine

When to Brush

Brush twice daily - once in the morning and once before bed. If you can only brush once, make it before bed. This removes the day's buildup of plaque before it can cause damage overnight.

Timing

Wait at least 30 minutes after eating acidic foods or drinks before brushing. Acid temporarily softens enamel, and brushing immediately can cause wear.

Complementary Care

Even perfect brushing technique can't reach between your teeth. Floss daily or use interdental brushes to clean these areas. Consider adding a mouthwash for additional protection.

Now that you've mastered the proper technique, make sure you're also maintaining your electric toothbrush correctly to keep it performing at its best.