What is the correct way to brush?

The basic technique is the rolling method: place the bristles at a 45-degree angle where the gum meets the tooth and sweep and roll from the gum toward the tooth. Follow a set order - 1) outer surfaces, 2) inner surfaces, 3) chewing surfaces, and 4) the tongue - missing nothing, brushing each area 5 to 10 times for a total of 2 to 3 minutes or more. Brushing thoroughly along the grain matters more than pressing hard; scrubbing sideways with force can wear a notch into the neck of the tooth. However, right after an extraction or gum surgery, brush around the site rather than over it.