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Home care

Daily oral hygiene

Available on the NHS

Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between your teeth - the evidence-based routine that prevents most decay and gum disease.

Also called: brushing and flossing, home care, oral care routine

Three toothbrushes standing in a white cup
Toothbrushes in a cup Photo: Henrik Abelsson, Public domain

About daily oral hygiene

Most tooth decay and gum disease can be prevented at home. The NHS advises brushing for about 2 minutes twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste - last thing at night and on one other occasion - and cleaning between your teeth every day with floss or interdental brushes.

Adults should use a toothpaste containing at least 1,350ppm fluoride. After brushing, spit out the excess but do not rinse, so the fluoride keeps working; and if you use a mouthwash, use it at a different time of day. Cutting down how often you have sugary foods and drinks matters as much as brushing.

Electric and manual toothbrushes can both work well. A Cochrane review found powered brushes reduced plaque and gum inflammation somewhat more than manual ones, but the NHS says either is fine as long as you clean every surface of every tooth. For between the teeth, interdental brushes suit wider gaps and floss suits tight spaces.

How it works

  1. Clean between your teeth once a day with interdental brushes or floss - many people find doing this before brushing helps
  2. Brush all surfaces of every tooth for about 2 minutes, angling the brush towards the gumline
  3. Brush last thing at night and at one other time each day
  4. Spit out excess toothpaste - do not rinse with water
  5. Use mouthwash, if you use it, at a different time from brushing
  6. Replace your toothbrush or brush head every 3 months, or sooner if the bristles splay

Time, lifespan and cost

Time needed
About 2 minutes twice a day for brushing, plus a minute or two once a day to clean between your teeth.
How long it lasts
A lifelong habit - its benefits last as long as you keep it up.
On the NHS?
Available on the NHS. Personalised oral hygiene advice is part of an NHS check-up (Band 1, £27.90 from 1 April 2026, or free if you are exempt). Toothbrushes, toothpaste and interdental cleaners are bought yourself; your dentist can prescribe high-fluoride toothpaste if you need it. NHS charges

Private cost

You buy your own toothbrush, toothpaste and interdental cleaners; prices vary widely and an expensive product is not necessary to clean well. (Source: NHS: How to keep your teeth clean)

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Prevents most tooth decay and gum disease
  • Cheap and entirely in your control
  • Reduces bad breath
  • Supports every other dental treatment

Cons

  • Only works if done consistently
  • Some people find cleaning between teeth fiddly at first
  • Cannot remove hardened tartar - that needs a professional clean

Aftercare

  • Use a toothbrush with a small head and soft or medium bristles
  • Choose a toothpaste with at least 1,350ppm fluoride (adults)
  • Ask your dental team which interdental brush sizes fit your gaps
  • Do not use wooden toothpicks, which can damage the gums
  • Children need help or supervision with brushing until at least age 7

Risks and side effects

  • Brushing too hard can damage gums and wear teeth - use gentle pressure
  • Mild gum bleeding when you start cleaning between teeth is common and usually settles; see your dental team if it continues

Your dentist should explain the risks that apply to you before you agree to treatment.

Problems it can help with

Bad breath (halitosis) is very common and usually fixable at home. The main causes, what actually helps, and when to see a dentist or GP.

RoutineOptions

Bleeding, swollen gums are the classic early sign. Gum disease is common and preventable - here is how it progresses and how it is treated.

RoutineOptions

Gums shrinking back to expose the roots can cause sensitivity and 'long' looking teeth. The causes and how to stop it getting worse.

RoutineOptions

Sharp twinges with cold, hot, sweet or acidic food are common. Why teeth become sensitive, what helps at home and when to see a dentist.

RoutineOptions

Toothache has many causes, from decay to a cracked tooth. How to ease the pain now, when to see a dentist and when it's an emergency.

See a dentist soonOptions

Wisdom teeth that are stuck or only part-way through can cause pain, swelling and infections. When they need removing - and when they don't.

See a dentist soonOptions

Teeth that look shorter, thinner, more yellow or sensitive may be wearing away. Find out the causes - acid, grinding, brushing - and fixes.

RoutineOptions

Compare it with the alternatives

Common questions

Electric or manual toothbrush?

Either can work. A Cochrane review found powered brushes reduced plaque by about 21% and gum inflammation by about 11% more than manual brushes after three months of use, though the long-term benefit is unclear. The NHS says both are equally good if you clean all surfaces thoroughly.

Floss or interdental brushes?

Both help. Interdental brushes are often easier to use and suit larger gaps; floss is useful for tight spaces. A Cochrane review found both may reduce gum inflammation alongside brushing, though the evidence is low certainty.

How much toothpaste should children use?

The NHS says a smear for under-3s and a pea-sized amount for 3 to 6 year olds, with a family toothpaste of 1,350 to 1,500ppm fluoride; under-3s without decay can use a lower-strength toothpaste with at least 1,000ppm.

Are water flossers worth it?

They can be a useful extra, especially if you find floss difficult or have braces, bridges or implants. The Oral Health Foundation says they do not replace brushing, and that interdental brushes or floss can physically scrape plaque off in a way water alone cannot always do.

Should I rinse after brushing?

No. Spit out the excess, but do not rinse with water or mouthwash straight away, as that washes away the fluoride.

Useful at home

Products that can help with day-to-day care alongside this treatment. Ask your dental team what suits you. Some links may be affiliate links.

Corsodyl Original toothpaste

An everyday toothpaste aimed at people with bleeding gums. Bleeding gums can be a sign of gum disease, so it's worth mentioning…

Features & who it suits

Sources we used

Checked September 2026. Guidance changes, so always follow the advice of your own dental team. About our sources.