Daily Oral Care Guide: Brushing, Flossing and Mouthwash
Daily oral care comes down to three habits: brush for about 2 minutes twice a day, last thing at night and once more, with a toothpaste containing at least 1,350 ppm fluoride[1]; spit out after brushing but do not rinse[1]; and clean between your teeth with interdental brushes or floss[1][4]. Electric and manual brushes both work if you clean every surface[1]. Mouthwash is optional and should not be used straight after brushing[1]. This guide from Ulubey Dental Clinic in Antalya explains each step and the evidence behind it.
- 1. The daily routine at a glance
- 2. How to brush your teeth
- 3. Electric or manual toothbrush?
- 4. Choosing a fluoride toothpaste
- 5. Cleaning between your teeth
- 6. Mouthwash: when it helps
- 7. Tongue cleaning
- 8. Braces, gum disease, implants and dentures
- 9. Check-ups and professional cleaning
- 10. Frequently asked questions
- 11. Sources
The daily routine at a glance
Plaque is a film of bacteria that builds up on the teeth and contributes to gum disease and tooth decay; brushing stops it building up[1]. A routine that follows UK guidance looks like this:
| Step | When | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Clean between the teeth (floss or interdental brushes) | Once a day, ideally before brushing[1] | Reaches the surfaces a toothbrush cannot; may reduce gum inflammation and plaque[4] |
| Brush with fluoride toothpaste | Last thing at night and one other time; about 2 minutes[1] | Removes plaque; fluoride toothpaste prevents decay[1][5] |
| Spit, do not rinse | After brushing[1] | Rinsing washes away the fluoride left on the teeth[1] |
| Mouthwash (optional) | At a different time from brushing, for example after lunch[1] | A fluoride mouthwash can help prevent decay[1] |
| Check-up | As your dentist advises | Problems found early are simpler to treat |
Source: NHS [1] and Cochrane [4][5]. You may cite this table with a link to this page.
How to brush your teeth
Brush twice a day for about 2 minutes, last thing before bed and on one other occasion; night-time brushing is important[1]. Clean the inside, outside and chewing surfaces of every tooth[1], and brush the gum line carefully[2].
Which technique you use matters less than people think. UK public-health guidance states that no particular brushing technique has been shown to be better than another; what matters is cleaning all tooth surfaces systematically, so that no area is missed[2]. A practical way is to follow the same order every time: outside surfaces of the upper teeth, inside surfaces, chewing surfaces, then the same for the lower teeth.
- Brush: for most adults a small head with medium or soft bristles is fine[1]. There is low-certainty evidence that medium and soft bristles are less likely to injure the gums than hard bristles[2].
- Gum line: brush the gum line carefully and gently[2].
- Children: need help or supervision with brushing until they are at least 7 years old[1].
If your gums have already receded, our guide to receding gums explains the causes and treatment.
Electric or manual toothbrush?
The NHS says it does not matter, as long as you clean all surfaces of all your teeth with fluoride toothpaste; some people find it easier to clean thoroughly with an electric brush[1].
The research shows a modest edge for powered brushes. A Cochrane review of 56 trials found that powered toothbrushes reduced plaque by 11% in the short term (1 to 3 months) and 21% in the longer term, and gum inflammation by 6% and 11% respectively, compared with manual brushes. The review noted that the clinical importance of these differences is unclear, and the strongest evidence was for rotation-oscillation brushes[3]. UK guidance adds that there is no evidence about powered versus manual brushes for preventing decay, and that patient preference is the most important factor[2].
Choosing a fluoride toothpaste
Check the packaging for the fluoride content. Adults should use a toothpaste with at least 1,350 parts per million (ppm) fluoride[1]. A Cochrane review of 96 studies supports fluoride toothpaste for preventing decay compared with non-fluoride toothpaste, with a dose-response effect in children and adolescents; in adults, toothpaste with 1,000 or 1,100 ppm reduced decay compared with non-fluoride toothpaste[5].
| Age | Fluoride content | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Under 3 years | Family toothpaste with 1,350–1,500 ppm, or a children’s toothpaste with at least 1,000 ppm if there is no tooth decay[1] | A smear[1] |
| 3 to 6 years | 1,350–1,500 ppm family toothpaste[1] | A pea-sized amount[1] |
| Adults | At least 1,350 ppm[1] | Spit out after brushing; do not rinse |
Source: NHS [1]. Your dentist may advise a higher-fluoride toothpaste if you need one [1].
After brushing, spit out the excess toothpaste and do not rinse with water: rinsing washes away the concentrated fluoride and reduces its effect[1]. Your dentist may advise a higher-strength fluoride toothpaste if your risk of decay is high[1]. For sensitivity, see our guide to sensitive teeth, which covers the toothpaste ingredients with evidence.
Cleaning between your teeth
A toothbrush does not reach the surfaces where teeth touch. The NHS advises cleaning between the teeth with floss or interdental brushes, and advises flossing before brushing[1]. UK guidance recommends interdental cleaning from 18 years of age, or earlier if there is evidence of gum disease[7].
A Cochrane review of 35 trials found that floss or interdental brushes used with toothbrushing may reduce gum inflammation or plaque, or both, more than toothbrushing alone, and that interdental brushes may be more effective than floss. The evidence was of low to very low certainty, and the effect sizes may not be clinically important[4]. The review found no trials on decay between the teeth, so whether interdental cleaning prevents decay is not known[4].
- Interdental brushes: the brush should fit snugly between the teeth[1]; many people need more than one size[2].
- Floss or tape: where the teeth are close together[2]. Take 30–45 cm, hold 3–4 cm taut, slide it between the teeth, curve it into a C-shape around each tooth and move it gently up and down[1].
- Not toothpicks: wooden toothpicks are not advised because they can damage the gums[1].
- Water flossers: the Cochrane review found the evidence for oral irrigators limited and inconsistent[4].
Cleaning around implants and under bridges needs different tools and a different routine. That is covered in our separate guide on how to clean implants and bridges, including the water flosser we recommend for every implant and bridge patient. This page covers natural teeth.
Mouthwash: when it helps
Mouthwash is not a substitute for brushing and cleaning between the teeth. A fluoride mouthwash can help prevent decay, but do not use it straight after brushing, because it washes away the fluoride from the toothpaste; use it at a different time, such as after lunch, and do not eat or drink for 30 minutes afterwards[1].
Chlorhexidine mouthwash is a medicated rinse for short-term use. A Cochrane review found a large reduction in plaque when it was used with brushing for 4 to 6 weeks or 6 months, but only a small effect on gum inflammation in people with mild inflammation that was not considered clinically relevant; rinsing for 4 weeks or longer caused staining of the teeth, and taste changes and mouth irritation were also reported[6]. UK guidance therefore advises it for short-term use only[7]. Use it only when a dentist recommends it, for the time they advise.
Tongue cleaning
Many people brush or scrape their tongue to freshen their breath. We could not find a current systematic review that we can cite on tongue cleaning: the Cochrane review on tongue scraping for bad breath has been withdrawn. If you clean your tongue, do it gently with your toothbrush or a tongue cleaner. Bad breath that does not go away is a reason to see a dentist, because it can be a sign of gum disease[8].
Braces, gum disease, implants and dentures
| Situation | What changes | Where to read more |
|---|---|---|
| Gum disease (periodontitis), now or treated | Cleaning at the gum line matters even more; spaces between the teeth are often larger, so interdental brushes in several sizes are advised; good brushing may take longer than 2 minutes[2] | Our receding gums guide |
| Smoking | Tobacco has a profound effect on the risk of gum disease and on the response to treatment[7] | Professional teeth cleaning |
| Implants, bridges, All-on-4 | Different tools: water flosser, interdental brushes, floss where brushes do not fit | How to clean implants and bridges |
| Dentures | Clean the denture and your gums twice a day; remove it at night | Our dentures guide |
| Children | Help or supervision with brushing until at least 7 years[1] | Children’s dentist in Antalya |
Sources: NHS [1], Delivering better oral health [2][7].
Check-ups and professional cleaning
The NHS advises regular check-ups with a dentist and dental hygienist[8]; they find decay and gum problems while they are small. UK guidance stresses that dental teams should coach and support patients in self-care[7], so ask at your check-up to be shown the right brush sizes for your teeth.
At Ulubey Dental Clinic in Antalya both dentists, Dr. Ali Cem Ulubey and Dr. Surur Ulubey, treat their own patients. A deep cleaning (scaling and polish) is €80, and we also use Guided Biofilm Therapy (Airflow) cleaning; see professional teeth cleaning and our dental treatment prices. Walk-in patients are seen Monday to Saturday, 09:00–19:00.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I brush my teeth?
Twice a day for about 2 minutes each time, according to the NHS: last thing before bed, because night-time brushing is important, and on one other occasion. Clean the inside, outside and chewing surfaces of every tooth. No particular brushing technique has been shown to be better than another; cleaning every surface systematically is what counts.
Is an electric toothbrush better than a manual one?
Both work if you clean every surface with fluoride toothpaste. A Cochrane review found that powered brushes removed about 21% more plaque and reduced gum inflammation by about 11% more than manual brushes over three months or longer, but the clinical importance is unclear. Many people find an electric brush easier, so choose the one you will use properly.
Should I rinse after brushing?
No. Spit out the excess toothpaste but do not rinse with water or mouthwash straight after brushing. Rinsing washes away the concentrated fluoride left on your teeth and reduces its protective effect. If you use a fluoride mouthwash, use it at a different time of day, such as after lunch, and do not eat or drink for 30 minutes.
Is flossing or an interdental brush better?
A Cochrane review found that both, used with brushing, may reduce gum inflammation or plaque, and that interdental brushes may be more effective than floss. The evidence is of low certainty. Use interdental brushes where they fit snugly between the teeth and floss where the teeth are too close together. The NHS suggests cleaning between the teeth before brushing.
What fluoride toothpaste should adults use?
The NHS advises adults to use a toothpaste with at least 1,350 ppm fluoride; check the packaging. A Cochrane review of 96 studies supports fluoride toothpaste for preventing decay. Your dentist may recommend a higher-fluoride toothpaste if you are at high risk of decay. After brushing, spit out the toothpaste and do not rinse.
Should I use mouthwash every day?
It is optional. A fluoride mouthwash can help prevent decay if it is used at a different time from brushing. Medicated chlorhexidine mouthwash is for short-term use when a dentist recommends it: a Cochrane review found that using it for four weeks or longer stains the teeth. Mouthwash never replaces brushing and cleaning between the teeth.
Sources
- NHS. How to keep your teeth clean (page last reviewed 30 June 2025; accessed 26 October 2026). www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-teeth-and-gums/how-to-keep-your-teeth-clean
- Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (GOV.UK). Delivering better oral health: an evidence-based toolkit for prevention. Chapter 8: oral hygiene (updated 10 September 2025; accessed 26 October 2026). www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-better-oral-health-an-evidence-based-toolkit-for-prevention/chapter-8-oral-hygiene
- Yaacob M, Worthington HV, Deacon SA, et al. Powered versus manual toothbrushing for oral health. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;(6):CD002281. PMID 24934383. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24934383
- Worthington HV, MacDonald L, Poklepovic Pericic T, et al. Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling periodontal diseases and dental caries. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;4:CD012018. PMID 30968949. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30968949
- Walsh T, Worthington HV, Glenny AM, Marinho VC, Jeroncic A. Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;3:CD007868. PMID 30829399. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30829399
- James P, Worthington HV, Parnell C, et al. Chlorhexidine mouthrinse as an adjunctive treatment for gingival health. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;3:CD008676. PMID 28362061. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28362061
- Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (GOV.UK). Delivering better oral health. Chapter 5: periodontal diseases (accessed 26 October 2026). www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-better-oral-health-an-evidence-based-toolkit-for-prevention/chapter-5-periodontal-diseases
- NHS. Gum disease (page last reviewed 20 April 2026; accessed 26 October 2026). www.nhs.uk/conditions/gum-disease
This article is general patient information and does not replace a clinical examination or X-rays.
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