I rarely see someone in the practice who does not brush. What I do see often are people who brush faithfully twice a day and nonetheless have inflamed or receding gums. The effort is there; the technique is letting them down. These are the things that make the most difference in practice.
Brushing too hard
This is by far the most common mistake. Plaque is soft — you only need to pass over it, not scrub at it. Brushing hard does not remove more plaque, but it does damage your gums and, over time, wears away enamel at the neck of the tooth. That leads to sensitivity and to gums that slowly recede, and they do not grow back.
A good indication: if the bristles splay outwards after only a few weeks, you are pressing too hard. Many electric brushes have a pressure sensor that warns you; it is one of the genuinely useful features on the market.
The wrong angle
Plaque accumulates mainly along the gum line — precisely where most people miss. Hold the brush at about 45 degrees against that margin, so the bristles reach just into it, and make small, unhurried movements. Brush systematically and always in the same order, otherwise you will keep missing the same places without noticing. The inside of the lower front teeth and the back of the last molar are the classic blind spots.
Two minutes is longer than you think
Asked how long they brush, most people say two minutes. Measured, it is often forty to fifty seconds. Use a timer, or a brush with one built in, at least for a while — you will notice how much longer two minutes feels than you expected.
Electric or manual
Both work, provided you use them properly. An electric brush does take part of the technique out of your hands: the movement is made for you, and you only need to guide the brush steadily along each tooth. For anyone who struggles with the right motion, or has reduced dexterity, that is a real advantage.
Either way, choose soft bristles. Medium or hard brushes offer no advantage at all and do cause damage. Replace the brush every three months, or sooner if the bristles splay.
What brushing does not solve
Your brush does not reach between your teeth, and that is exactly where cavities and gum inflammation often begin. Clean there daily with floss or — easier and more effective for most people — with interdental brushes in the right size. The right size differs from gap to gap; we measure that during an appointment so you are not buying by guesswork.
Brush your tongue too, from back to front. A large share of the bacteria that cause bad breath live there.
Finally: brushing really well once a day achieves more than brushing hurriedly twice. Take your time in the evening — you produce less saliva overnight, which is when leftover plaque does the most harm.