You may be wondering how often you should brush your teeth. Is it twice a day, three times, after every meal? Here, our Edmonton dentists set the record straight.
To reap the full benefits of brushing your teeth, the old adage is true, you need to brush at least twice a day - once in the morning when you wake up and once in the evening before going to bed. (And be sure to floss at least one of these times too!)
Regular brushing and flossing is crucial to prevent dental issues from developing and to protect your oral health in the long-run.
If you can brush your teeth at other times throughout the day, great! By brushing after meals and snacks, especially sugary ones, you will help minimize the growth of bacteria in your mouth. But if you're not always able to brush after a meal, be sure to brush at least in the morning and evening.
Brush in the Morning
It is pretty obvious that you should brush your teeth in the morning, but make sure you brush your teeth before breakfast, not after. Regular morning brushing will help to get rid of morning breath and reduce bacteria in your mouth.
Brush in the Evening
It is important to brush at the end of every day. During the day you accumulate tiny bits of food on and in between your teeth. If this food remains on your teeth through the night, it creates bacteria which breaks down tooth enamel.
Regular evening brushing will help to remove old food, reduce bacteria and help keep bad breath under control.
Brush like a Dentist
The old adage of “brush twice a day” isn't the whole story. You shouldn’t simply brush your teeth twice a day: you need to brush them as thoroughly as your dentist or dental hygienist would.
To really see results, you need to brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes (120 seconds) each time you brush, and floss at least once a day. You should brush your teeth from front to back, moving from side-to-side of your mouth. Be sure to clean the front, back and top of each tooth.
When you're done brushing your teeth, be sure to brush your tongue too, and floss between your teeth and under your gum line. These regular practices will help keep your smile healthy and bright!