Oral Health C.J. Henley Oral Health C.J. Henley

How to Brush Your Teeth Correctly

Here is a simple video from Colgate that will help you brush better!

Brush twice a day for two minutes with a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste. Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to the gumline and use gentle, short strokes about one tooth wide, cleaning the outer, inner and chewing surfaces of every tooth. Light pressure is enough. Brushing harder doesn't clean better and can wear gums and enamel.

What do I need?

  • A soft-bristled toothbrush. Manual or powered both work when used well. A Cochrane review of 56 trials found powered brushes removed somewhat more plaque and reduced gum inflammation a little more than manual brushes, though how much that matters clinically is unclear. [3]

  • Fluoride toothpaste. A pea-sized amount is plenty for adults. Our toothpaste guide explains how to choose one.

How do I brush, step by step?

  1. Angle the bristles. Point them toward the gumline at about 45 degrees, so they reach where the tooth meets the gum. [1]

  2. Use short, gentle strokes. Move the brush back and forth in strokes about as wide as one tooth. With a powered brush, hold it on each tooth and let the head do the work.

  3. Clean every surface. Work around the mouth in order: the outside surfaces, the inside surfaces and the chewing surfaces of the upper and lower teeth.

  4. Tilt the brush for the inside of the front teeth. Hold it upright and use several up-and-down strokes. [1]

  5. Take the full two minutes. That is about 30 seconds for each quarter of your mouth. A timer or a powered brush with a built-in timer helps. [2]

  6. Brush your tongue gently if you like. It can help with breath.

How often should I replace my toothbrush?

Every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. [1] If your bristles splay out within a few weeks, you may be pressing too hard. Our post on brushing too hard explains the signs.

Is there a wrong time to brush?

After acidic foods or drinks such as citrus, soda or wine, wait about an hour before brushing. Acid softens enamel for a while, and saliva needs time to harden it again. [4]

Is brushing enough on its own?

No. A toothbrush doesn't reach well between teeth, so clean between them once a day with floss, interdental brushes or another cleaner that works for you. [2] Our home care instructions cover the rest of a daily routine.

Can someone check my technique?

Yes. Bring your toothbrush to your next visit and we'll watch how you brush and suggest small changes. To schedule, call our office at 904-398-1549 or contact us.

Sources

  1. American Dental Association, MouthHealthy. Brushing your teeth. Accessed October 6, 2026.

  2. American Dental Association. Home oral care. Accessed October 6, 2026.

  3. Yaacob M, Worthington HV, Deacon SA, et al. Powered versus manual toothbrushing for oral health. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;(6):CD002281. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002281.pub3 (retrieved via PubMed)

  4. American Dental Association, MouthHealthy. Dietary acids and your teeth. Accessed October 6, 2026.

About the author. CJ Henley, DMD, is a general dentist in Jacksonville whose practice focuses on cosmetic and restorative dentistry, dental implants and dental care around head and neck cancer. Meet Dr. Henley.
CJ Henley, DMD, PA · 3675 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207 · 904-398-1549
Updated October 2026.

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Oral Health C.J. Henley Oral Health C.J. Henley

Is Sparkling Water Bad for Your Teeth?

Is the satisfying fizz of your favorite sparkling water putting you at risk for tooth decay? Because any drink with carbonation—including sparkling water—has a higher acid level, some reports have questioned whether sipping sparkling water will weaken your tooth enamel (the hard outer shell of your teeth where cavities first form).

Plain, unsweetened sparkling water is generally fine for your teeth. Carbonation makes it slightly more acidic than still water, but in lab testing it dissolved enamel far less than soft drinks did. Flavored sparkling waters are different. Citrus flavors in particular can be about as acidic as fruit juice, and any version with added sugar is a sugary drink.

What does the research show?

The most useful study is a lab study from the University of Birmingham in the UK. Researchers exposed extracted human teeth and powdered tooth mineral to still and sparkling mineral waters and to common soft drinks. Sparkling waters dissolved slightly more mineral than still waters, but the amounts were very low, roughly a hundredth of what the soft drinks dissolved. Removing the bubbles lowered it a little more, which suggests the carbonation itself isn't the main concern. [1] The ADA describes this kind of research when it says sparkling water is generally fine. [3]

The same group then tested flavored sparkling waters. Every one was acidic (pH about 2.7 to 3.3) and, in the lab, about as erosive as pure orange juice or more so. [2] The fruit acids added for flavor, usually citric acid, made the difference.

Both studies were done in the lab, not in people's mouths. Saliva, how long a drink stays in your mouth and what you eat with it all change the effect in real life. They still give a clear picture: plain is low-risk, and flavored should be treated like juice.

How can I enjoy sparkling water and protect my teeth?

  • Choose plain or lightly flavored without citric acid when you can. Check the ingredients for citric acid and added sugar.

  • Have flavored versions with meals rather than sipping one can after another through the day.

  • Treat sweetened sparkling drinks as soda. Added sugar feeds the bacteria that cause cavities.

  • Make tap water your first choice. In Jacksonville, JEA's water contains fluoride that occurs naturally in the Floridan aquifer. Our post on fluoride toothpaste and Jacksonville water explains what that means for your teeth.

  • Wait about an hour to brush after acidic drinks, so softened enamel can reharden. [4]

What if my teeth are already sensitive or worn?

If cold or acidic drinks make your teeth twinge, see our post on foods to avoid with sensitive teeth. Worn, sensitive or yellowing edges can be signs of acid erosion. At a comprehensive dental examination we can check for wear and talk through your drinks and habits. Call our office at 904-398-1549 or contact us.

Sources

  1. Parry J, Shaw L, Arnaud MJ, Smith AJ. Investigation of mineral waters and soft drinks in relation to dental erosion. J Oral Rehabil. 2001;28(8):766-772. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2842.2001.00795.x (retrieved via PubMed)

  2. Brown CJ, Smith G, Shaw L, Parry J, Smith AJ. The erosive potential of flavoured sparkling water drinks. Int J Paediatr Dent. 2007;17(2):86-91. doi:10.1111/j.1365-263X.2006.00784.x (retrieved via PubMed)

  3. American Dental Association, MouthHealthy. The truth about sparkling water and your teeth. Accessed October 6, 2026.

  4. American Dental Association, MouthHealthy. Dietary acids and your teeth. Accessed October 6, 2026.

About the author. CJ Henley, DMD, is a general dentist in Jacksonville whose practice focuses on cosmetic and restorative dentistry, dental implants and dental care around head and neck cancer. Meet Dr. Henley.
CJ Henley, DMD, PA · 3675 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207 · 904-398-1549
Updated October 2026.

Read More