Overview

• Replace manual brushes or electric heads every three months, as worn bristles clean less effectively and can harbor bacteria.
• Choose soft, properly sized bristles to protect gums and enamel, with electric options helpful for people with limited dexterity.
• Brush for at least two minutes per American Dental Association guidance, with built‑in timers on many electric models helping users hit the target.
• Use gentle, small circular motions angled 45 degrees toward the gum line rather than hard back‑and‑forth scrubbing.
• Floss daily to reach areas a brush misses—skipping can leave about 40% of tooth surfaces uncleaned—and use a pea‑sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.