Key messages
- Step-by-step instructions for brushing your teeth with a manual toothbrush.
How to brush with a manual toothbrush
- Wet the toothbrush's bristles with a small amount of water.
- Squeeze the toothpaste on to the toothbrush bristles.
- Put the toothbrush into your mouth at a 45-degree angle with the bristles sitting half over your teeth and half over your gums.
- Start by brushing the top right teeth and then move to the top left teeth. Then brush the lower left teeth and lastly the lower right teeth.
- Turn the toothbrush to reach the outside, inside and top surfaces of your teeth.
- Brush down to your gums to remove the bacteria sitting on the teeth in these areas.
- After brushing, spit out the toothpaste foam but do not rinse your mouth with water. This allows a layer of fluoride toothpaste to sit on your teeth for longer. This protects your teeth more.
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