Is It Best To Brush Your Teeth In The Morning, The Evening, Or Both?
Is it best to brush your teeth in the morning, the evening, or both? According to the American Dental Association (ADA), brushing your teeth twice a day is recommended. They also recommend fluoride toothpaste and at least two minutes for brushing time.
That said, a number of other factors should be taken into consideration when determining the number of times you brush your teeth on a daily basis. Some individuals brush their teeth shortly after every meal, and sometimes even after snacking on her drinking something sweet or sticky. There’s nothing wrong with that, but you’ve got to do it right.
Dentists recommend brushing your teeth before you go to bed and when you get up in the morning. This is effective in at least reducing bacteria and bad breath. If you don’t, are you at risk for increased tooth decay? It depends on diet, lifestyle habits, and overall dental hygiene.
The mouth is filled with bacteria, as it is supposed to be. Bacteria found in the saliva breaks down sugars and proteins from the foods you eat, the first part of the digestion process.
How you brush matters
Brushing your teeth once, twice, or multiple times throughout the day might seem like a good idea to prevent tooth decay, but if you’re not doing it right, you may be wasting your time. For example, a quick swipe of the brush around the mouth is not an effective method for removing plaque or bacteria. You need to brush all surfaces of your teeth, from side to side and top to bottom, preferably at a 45° angle, according to the ADA. Brushing your tongue is also beneficial in removing bacteria.
Timing is also important. Frequency of brushing has long been focused on the detrimental damage of sweets and acidic foods. Some acidic drinks and foods have the potential to soften tooth enamel. If the tooth has not “recovered” from that acidic food, brushing your teeth immediately may negatively affect that softened enamel. Some dentists recommend waiting 30 minutes following consumption of an acidic beverage or food before brushing.
Your choice of toothbrush also has an influence on the effectiveness of brushing. Brushing your teeth with a harder than necessary brush can damage the enamel, but too soft won’t clean properly. Dentists recommend that you change your tooth brush at least every three months or as soon as it starts to show signs of fraying.
In addition, a number of lifestyle habits such as smoking can also influence risk of dental damage and can affect tooth brushing regimens. Brushing can help to reduce yellowing and loss of tooth enamel caused by exposure to cigarette components and their smoke.
Use of dental floss and mouthwash is recommended by dentists to prevent tooth enamel from being damaged by any build-up of plaque in the mouth. So, brush your teeth at least twice a day and schedule regular visits with your dentist for optional oral health. If you need a great dentist in Los Gatos, California, Dr. Scott Prawat is ideal for
