Hi, Olive. You might have seen a flood of Twitter chatter sparked by a tweet reading, “Do ya’ll wet the toothbrush first, or put toothpaste on first?” The response online was mixed, but our answer is pretty simple: Wetting your toothbrush is more a matter of preference and doesn’t significantly change the success of brushing.

Supporters of wetting your toothbrush first say there are multiple advantages of this approach. For example, it softens the bristles, making the brushing experience more comfortable. It also allows the toothpaste to stick to your toothbrush more effectively and rinses off any debris that came into contact with your toothbrush since the last time you brushed.

While these benefits might matter to some, it’s much more important to practice proper brushing habits. Make sure to brush twice a day for two minutes at a time using fluoride toothpaste. You should also replace your toothbrush every three to four months and rinse it after each use. When it comes to storing your toothbrush, stand it upright versus laying it on its side and prevent it from touching other toothbrushes.

Whether you wet your toothbrush or not, you can keep your pearly whites squeaky clean by maintaining the right brushing routine.