Good oral hygiene can prevent decay and dental issues. The better you are able to keep your teeth clean, the longer your smile will last. This has become especially important as scientists have discovered more and more links between your oral health and your overall health.
The mouth is the biggest entry point on your body. The food and drink that you need to survive enter your body through your mouth, but harmful bacteria, viruses, and other substances can too. How you take care of your smile can have an impact on how well you’re protected from serious health issues. We all know that we should brush our teeth frequently, but do you know how many times a day is best, or how long each brushing session should last?
Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day, Every Day
The American Dental Association recommends everyone to brush their teeth twice a day. By brushing at least once every twelve hours, you can keep the bacteria that causes decay at bay and keep your mouth cleaner and more refreshed.
Brush Your Teeth For Two Minutes
A study of 59 papers with 212 brushing exercises found that brushing your teeth for a full two minutes can reduce plaque by around 41 percent. In contrast, the patients who only brushed for one minute experienced only a 27% reduction.
Use a Soft Bristle Brush
When you brush your teeth, you should use a soft bristle brush. Harder bristles can be too rough on the enamel. Do not brush too hard. The ADA recommends brushing for at least two solid minutes. While you brush, your toothbrush should be placed at a 45-degree angle. You only need a pea-sized amount of toothpaste per brushing session, but you should make sure your bristles aren’t worn out. If the toothbrush looks worn and isn’t doing as good a job as it did when it was new, it’s probably time to get a new toothbrush.
When you go to brush your teeth, these guidelines can help you maintain great oral health. If you have any other questions about teeth brushing, we’d be happy to help.