How Often Should You Brush Your Teeth for Good Oral Hygiene?
Looking after your teeth by brushing and flossing regularly doesn't just pave the way for pearly whites. It makes a huge difference to your overall health. In this post, we cover toothbrushing regimens and focus on just how often you should be brushing your teeth for great oral hygiene care.
What Is the Proper Way to Brush Your Teeth?
Although it’s better than doing nothing, simply sticking your toothbrush in your mouth and moving it around quickly isn’t going to help you much. To reap the benefits of tooth brushing, you have to brush thoroughly with intention and focus. Your toothbrush should be soft and you should use fluoride toothpaste.
Clean your gumline, both sides of all your teeth, the backs of your teeth, as well as the hardworking tops of your premolars and molars. Use a light touch to brush the roof of your mouth too.
Be sure to hold your brush at a 45-degree angle against your gumline to allow the bristles to sweep away those pesky food particles that lodge themselves between your teeth and gums. You can brush the inside surfaces of your front teeth vertically.
How Often Should You Brush Your Teeth for Good Oral Hygiene?
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time. This suggestion is based on years of credible research, and at Taunton Village Dental we trust the science. Brushing for just a minute results in much less plaque removal.
To clean all the requisite areas, you have to allocate 30 seconds for each quarter of your mouth. Most electric toothbrushes will indicate when you need to change from one quadrant to the next.
If you’re using a regular toothbrush, you can play one of your favorite two-minute tunes, or use a timed toothbrushing song to guide little ones. This is an awesome way to start and end a day.
What Happens if You Don’t Brush Your Teeth Regularly?
For starters, not brushing enough can lead to unsightly stains on your teeth. Stains from tea or coffee may benefit from brushing with baking soda. But if this doesn’t help, an appointment with one of our Oshawa dentists should restore your confidence.
You can also develop bad breath if you don’t have a sound oral care routine. Humans are social beings, so we want to try our best to smell fresh when we speak. Brushing your tongue can help combat the offending bacteria.
Poor teeth hygiene can cause a lot of serious but preventable damage to your oral health including:
- Cavities
- Gum disease
- Infections
- Inflammation
- Oral cancer
How Does Brushing Improve Your Oral Microbiome and General Health?
There are naturally occurring bacteria that live in our bodies. We have an ecosystem in our mouth that is influenced by lifestyle factors. Avoiding smoking, drinking lots of water, and consuming a healthy diet without too many sugary foods makes for an optimal oral microbiome.
When you eat, the bacteria that live in your mouth also have a feast. A biofilm or thin sticky coat of bacteria called plaque forms on your teeth. Plaque is the villain in this story because the bacteria create acids that wear away at the hard enamel of your teeth.
Without interventions in the form of flossing and correct brushing, plaque buildup can become hard tartar which is only removable with a scale and polish carried out by a professional oral hygienist.
Permanent cavities or holes can form that cause even more problems. Tooth decay can lead to pain and severe discomfort. If you've ever had a toothache, you'll know how bad it can get.
Brushing your teeth and disrupting bad bacteria at least twice a day also prevents early gum disease which is called gingivitis. When gum disease gets worse, your teeth can become loose.
If your oral microbiome is imbalanced due to being overrun by bad bacteria, it can have a knock-on effect on other parts of your system. Poor oral health may cause chronic diseases and the negative effects are not limited to the following health issues:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Stroke
How Often Should You Brush Your Implants?
Dental implants are a second chance. Although dental implants don't decay, your gums are still vulnerable. Poor teeth hygiene can affect your gum tissue and lead to bone loss.
Specialist brushes are not necessary. But, again, it’s essential to floss once before bed and brush twice a day at a minimum. In addition, you can use water picks that are specifically for implants.
How Often Should You Brush Your Dentures?
Good oral hygiene can keep your dentures looking spick and span too. Try to remove and rinse your dentures in lukewarm water after meals. Gently brush your natural teeth and other parts of your mouth such as your cheeks at least twice a day.
The dentures themselves only require brushing with a non-abrasive denture cleanser once a day. This should be done after you've removed the dentures from your mouth. After an overnight soak in a denture-soaking solution, be sure to rinse your dentures before inserting them.
What Are the Effects of Over-Brushing?
In your quest to keep your teeth strong, you may veer into harmful territory. Brushing gently three or more times a day is perfectly fine. But brushing too hard or too quickly after consuming acidic and sugary foods can give rise to other troubles including:
- Noticeable dental abrasion and enamel erosion
- Irreversible gum recession
- Sensitive teeth
Instead of over-brushing, consider gargling with an alcohol-free mouthwash or with a salt solution one or two times per day.
Get Treatment With Excellent Taunton Dentists
While aesthetics are important, proper oral hygiene also plays a part in whole-body wellness. And being healthy is a pretty good reason to smile if you ask us.
At Taunton Village Dental, our dentists and support staff are knowledgeable and caring. Whether you’re trying to keep your natural teeth in tip-top condition, or you need to address issues with implants or loose-fitting dentures, we’re here to help. We’re open 7 days a week from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m for your convenience. Contact our practice to book a check-up and cleaning today.
