Firstly let’s touch on the importance of brushing one’s teeth.
When you brush your teeth, you help remove leftover food particles and plaque. Plaque (a sticky, colorless or pale yellow film), being the main cause of oral health problems because it contains bacteria which form along the gum line and between the teeth.
The bacteria in plaque produce acids and these acids damage the tooth enamel which ultimately cause cavities. This bacteria also contributes to bad breath, yellow teeth and gum disease (Gingivitis).
Simply put, brushing your teeth daily is an important step to help reduce plaque build up and keep your smile healthy and looking good!
So how often should you brush?
Here at Ace Dental – Somerset West, we recommend you brush your teeth at least twice a day. The reason for this is because plaque usually begins forming on teeth 4-12 hours after brushing. So by brushing your teeth thoroughly (We recommend 2 minutes) at least twice daily you will greatly decrease the amount of plaque build up.
If you are able to brush your teeth 3 times a day this is ideal but do not overdo it, remember over brushing can lead to sensitive teeth and receding gums. Vigorous brushing can wear down the enamel on the teeth as well as damage and push back the gums, exposing the sensitive root area (Toothbrush Abrasion).
Also very important is when to brush… Ideally you want to wait about an hour after eating before brushing your teeth. The reason for this is due to the acids in many foods and drinks. These acids weaken tooth enamel and if you brush your teeth while the enamel is weakened you will likely remove some of the enamel leaving your teeth more vulnerable to further damage.
So as you can see brushing daily will help keep your teeth and mouth healthy.
Dr Maziar from Ace Dental also recommends the following to keep your smile beautiful:
- Flossing daily.
- Using mouthwash after brushing and flossing.
- Drinking plenty of water.
- Limiting sugary food and drinks.
- Replacing your toothbrush every 3 months (Sooner if bristles are heavily worn).
- Schedule regular dental checkups.
If after reading this, you think it’s time for a checkup feel free to contact our offices here to book an appointment. Until next time keep on smiling!