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A Daily Protocol Worth Keeping
Five minutes, twice a day — the entire evidence base in one routine.
4 min readMedically reviewed
The strongest daily protocol is also the simplest. It has changed remarkably little in twenty years of research, because the fundamentals remain the fundamentals.
Morning and evening
- Two minutes of brushing with fluoride toothpaste
- Once-daily interdental cleaning — floss or an appropriately sized brush
- A tongue scrape, particularly at night
What to skip
Alcohol-based mouthwash for routine use, abrasive charcoal toothpastes, and any product that promises whitening through erosion.
Medically reviewed
Reviewed and edited by Dr. Marianna Zadov, DDS. Last updated August 2026.
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Fluoride vs. Hydroxyapatite
The most-studied enamel-protective agent — and the promising fluoride-free alternative.
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What Actually Happens at a Cleaning
Scaling, polishing, and the diagnostic value most patients overlook.
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The Oral Microbiome
Not sterile, not hostile — the community of organisms that keeps a healthy mouth healthy.