Why Should I Brush My Teeth for Two Minutes?

Your dentist in Marco Island, Florida, would always say that brushing and flossing are imperative in keeping your teeth clean and healthy. Brushing alone removes food particles, which may contain sugar and harmful bacteria that can damage the teeth. This can lead to plaque buildup and may further cause tooth decay.  

When tooth decay intensifies, this can cause gum disease, which will lead to various infections and pain if left untreated.  

Things Everyone Must Know About Brushing

Why Two Minutes?

A study found out that most people only brush their teeth for 45 seconds. While you may think this is enough to clean your teeth, experts discovered that brushing for 45 seconds may not remove as much plaque from your mouth. On the other hand, increasing brushing time to two minutes can help remove up to 26 percent more plaque.  

When Should I Brush My Teeth?

Following the twice-daily recommendation, you may brush your teeth once in the morning and before you go to bed. After eating, brushing your teeth is preferable except when you have acidic foods, since acid can weaken your tooth enamel, and brushing your teeth right away may cause erosion.

So, if you have an orange for breakfast, you can brush your teeth before eating. If this is not possible, you may opt to rinse your mouth with water instead after you finish your meal.

Can I Brush Too Much?

While brushing your teeth three times is fine, brushing too hard can harm your smile. Your teeth don't need deep-cleaning by aggressively brushing them. In fact, aggressive brushing will only wear down tooth enamel. Moreover, this can irritate your gums and cause them to recede.  

Visit Your Dentist in Marco Island, Florida

Sometimes we think we already know everything there is to know about good oral health practices until we experience dental issues we didn't see coming. If you think you need to learn more about dental care, give us a call.