“You should brush your teeth twice a day.” You’ve probably heard that many times before, but is that actually true? And if so, why is that the recommended frequency? Could brushing more often be better for your oral health?
The Importance of Brushing Your Teeth
Brushing helps remove plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that can build up on your teeth and gums and lead to tooth decay and gum disease. However, just brushing your teeth isn’t enough – how often you brush is just as important.
The Recommended Frequency of Brushing
The Indian Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes at a time. So, when is the best time? Brushing in the morning, especially after consuming breakfast or your morning coffee, is crucial because it helps eliminate any bacteria that might have accumulated overnight. Likewise, brushing before you fall asleep is vitally important for the same reasons.
The Benefits of Brushing More Often
Think about all the “junk” you consume throughout the day. Brushing right after consuming sugary or acidic food or drinks helps neutralize the acids and removes food particles from your teeth. Suffer from dry mouth? Brushing can stimulate saliva production, too.
What About Your Enamel?
You also might have heard this before: Brushing too often can be bad for the enamel on your teeth. (Enamel is the outer layer of your teeth. It helps protect them from things like decay and damage.) That statement, however, isn’t entirely true, as brushing more frequently can remove harmful plaque and bacteria from your mouth, which reduces the risk of enamel erosion.
With that said, consider using a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste that is gentle on your enamel, especially if you plan on brushing your teeth more than twice a day. Hard bristles or brushing your teeth too vigorously can eventually lead to enamel erosion. The same goes for toothpaste that uses harsh ingredients like baking soda or hydrogen peroxide.
The bottom line? If you’re concerned about brushing your teeth too often — or too hard — then you should talk to your Dentist in Dabolim for guidance. Contact Ace Dentistry for more information.
