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Step 1
Brush the chewing surfaces of your teeth first to loosen anything in between and make it easier for your dental floss to work once you've finished brushing. It doesn't matter if you start with the upper or lower teeth.
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Step 2
Turn your toothbrush to a 45-degree angle and start in one of the lower quadrants of your mouth on the backside, then outside, of the very back molar. Brush gently in a circular motion to help knock off any plaque and stimulate the gums, working your way around to all 4 quadrants of your mouth.
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Step 3
Move your brush to a vertical position and focus on the insides of the upper and lower front teeth. These are areas where plaque commonly accumulates.
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Step 4
Open your mouth wide and brush your tongue, the insides of your cheeks and the roof of your mouth. This is an important step in brushing your teeth properly because dirty tongues cause at least 80 percent of all bad breath.
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Step 5
End your tooth brushing routine by taking steps to keep your brush from adding bacteria back into your mouth the next time you brush. Rinse the brush thoroughly after each use, and soak it once a day for a few minutes in a cup of hot water.
