At home
What to do between visits
The two-minute brush, the one-minute floss, and the products that are actually worth your money.
The daily basics
- Brush twice a day for two minutes. Soft bristles, fluoride toothpaste, gentle circular motion. Don't scrub hard — it wears down your enamel and gums.
- Floss once a day. String, picks, or water flosser — whichever you'll actually use. The goal is one pass between each pair of teeth, every day.
- Replace your toothbrush head every 3 to 4 months — or sooner if the bristles look frayed.
- Don't snack constantly. Every time you eat or drink something with sugar or acid, your teeth go through about 20 minutes of acid attack. Three meals beats six snacks for your teeth.
- Stay hydrated with water. Saliva is your mouth's natural defense — and dehydration shuts it down.
What to buy
- Electric toothbrush — Sonicare or Oral-B SmartSeries 5000. Either works well. They're a one-time investment that improves your home care for years.
- Fluoride toothpaste — any major brand. Sensitive-teeth toothpastes (Sensodyne, Crest Pro-Health Sensitive) help if temperature bothers you.
- Floss or water flosser — string for most adults; Waterpik for patients with bridges, implants, braces, or limited hand mobility.
- (Optional) ACT alcohol-free fluoride rinse — useful for patients at higher cavity risk.
What to skip
- The cheap "spin" toothbrushes that look like electric brushes but aren't — they're often worse than a good manual brush.
- Charcoal toothpaste — abrasive, no proven benefit, can damage enamel over time.
- Whitening rinses — they don't really whiten and can irritate gums.
- Whitening trays from random Amazon sellers — see a dentist for safe whitening options.
The honest truth
The best home routine is the one you actually do every day. A simple plan you stick to beats an elaborate plan you give up on by Wednesday. If you're struggling with consistency, ask your hygienist for the one or two changes most likely to make the biggest difference for your specific mouth.
Common questions
Frequently asked
- How often should I brush?
- Twice a day — once in the morning and once before bed — for two minutes each time. The before-bed brush is the most important; saliva slows down at night and bacteria can build up on uncleaned surfaces.
- Manual or electric toothbrush?
- Electric, if you can swing it. Sonicare or Oral-B SmartSeries are both excellent. Electric toothbrushes consistently remove more plaque than manual brushing, especially for patients who tend to rush their two minutes.
- What about those $10 'spin' toothbrushes from the drugstore?
- Skip them. They're closer to a manual toothbrush in performance than a real electric. A high-quality manual toothbrush will outperform a cheap spin brush.
- Do I really need to floss?
- Yes — brushing only cleans about 60% of the tooth surface. The rest is between the teeth, where only floss (or a water flosser) can reach. Once a day is enough.
- Water flosser vs. string floss?
- Both work. Water flossers (Waterpik) are easier and often better for patients with braces, bridges, implants, or arthritis. String floss is cheaper and more portable. Use whichever you'll actually use.
- Should I use mouthwash?
- Optional for most patients. Alcohol-free fluoride rinses like ACT can add extra cavity protection. Antimicrobial rinses (Listerine, Crest Pro-Health) help with gingivitis. Skip whitening rinses — they don't whiten meaningfully and can be irritating.
- What about tongue scraping?
- Helpful for fresh breath, not critical for dental health. Use the tongue-scraper on the back of your toothbrush, or a dedicated tongue scraper, once a day if bad breath is a concern.
- How do I know I'm doing it right?
- Ask your hygienist at your next cleaning. They can show you exactly which areas you're missing and demonstrate technique on your specific teeth. Coaching beats reading any day.
We'd love to see you on Thomson Drive
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