Five daily habits do most of the work for healthy teeth and gums: brush twice a day for 2 minutes with a fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth once a day, have sugary food and drink less often, replace your toothbrush every 3 months, and see your dental practitioner every 6 to 12 months. That is the core advice from healthdirect and the Australian Dental Association, and it takes only a few minutes a day.
Healthy teeth also matter if you want a whiter smile: healthdirect does not recommend whitening for anyone with gum disease, cracks or holes in their teeth, or other untreated dental problems. Here is how to get the basics right.
1. How often should you brush your teeth?
Twice a day, for 2 minutes each time. healthdirect says the best times are in the morning after breakfast and before bed, using a soft-bristled brush and a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Brush the inside, outside and chewing surfaces of every tooth, then spit the toothpaste out without rinsing, so the fluoride has more time to protect your teeth.
Brush gently: you are cleaning, not scrubbing. Ideally, wait 30 minutes after eating or drinking before you brush, and after acidic food or drink the Australian Dental Association suggests waiting 60 minutes.
Manual and electric brushes both work if you use them well; healthdirect notes that some people find an electric toothbrush easier, and that built-in timers help you brush for the full 2 minutes. The SmilePro Sonic Toothbrush has a 2-minute timer that pulses every 30 seconds to move you round your mouth, and 5 brushing modes.
2. Why should you clean between your teeth?
A toothbrush cannot reach the spaces between your teeth. healthdirect recommends flossing at least once a day to remove plaque and food from those gaps and keep your gums healthy, ideally before you brush. String floss, dental tape, interdental brushes and water flossers all work; avoid toothpicks, which are more likely to damage your teeth.
3. What should you eat and drink for healthy teeth?
Drink plain water through the day and keep soft drinks, energy drinks and fruit juice to a minimum, healthdirect advises. Try not to snack between meals: the gaps give your saliva time to neutralise the acids that damage teeth. After acidic food or drink, the Australian Dental Association suggests drinking water or milk, eating a piece of cheese or chewing sugar-free gum.
Some foods and drinks also stain. See 10 foods and drinks that stain teeth for the ones to watch.
4. How often should you replace your toothbrush?
Every 3 months, or sooner if it looks worn, says healthdirect. Splayed bristles do not clean properly. The same goes for electric brush heads: replace SmilePro Sonic Brush Heads every 3 months, or sooner if the bristles splay. Subscribe and your next pair arrives on time, 20% cheaper.
5. How often should you see the dentist?
Every 6 to 12 months, or as often as your dental practitioner recommends. Regular check-ups catch problems early, and a professional clean removes calculus (tartar), which healthdirect notes cannot be removed by brushing at home. See your dental practitioner straight away if you have toothache, facial swelling, sensitive teeth when eating and drinking, or an injury to your teeth.
Do you need to use mouthwash?
Most people do not, according to healthdirect. Some people like mouthwash to freshen their breath, but it is not a replacement for brushing and flossing. Talk to your dental practitioner about the risks and benefits before using one every day.
Which toothpaste should you use?
healthdirect recommends a fluoride toothpaste for daily brushing.
When is it safe to whiten your teeth?
When your teeth and gums are healthy. healthdirect does not recommend whitening if you have sensitive teeth, gum disease, cracks or holes in your teeth, or untreated dental problems, and suggests talking to your dental professional first if you have any doubts. Once you have the all-clear, an at-home kit fits into the same routine.
The SmilePro Advanced Teeth Whitening Kit takes 10 minutes a day for 7 days, for up to 8 shades whiter. The gel is 6% hydrogen peroxide with potassium nitrate, enamel-safe and Sensitivity-free, used with a blue and red LED light. After each treatment, wait 1 hour before eating or drinking anything except water. Read is teeth whitening safe? for more.
SmilePro whitening products are not suitable for anyone under 18, or anyone pregnant or breastfeeding. If you have sensitive teeth or unhealthy gums, see a dentist first.
Sources
This guide is general information, not dental advice. If you have any concerns about your teeth or gums, speak to a dentist.
- healthdirect Australia, Dental care and teeth cleaning, last reviewed November 2024.
- healthdirect Australia, Teeth whitening, last reviewed February 2025.
- Australian Dental Association, Tooth erosion, teeth.org.au.
- SmilePro product information: Sonic Toothbrush, Sonic Brush Heads, Whitening Toothpaste, Advanced Teeth Whitening Kit.
Last updated: 8 October 2026.
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