How Long Should I Brush My Teeth?
Practicing good oral hygiene is the key to maintaining strong teeth and a healthy smile. It’s especially important to brush your teeth daily to maintain your oral health.
How Many Times Should I Brush My Teeth?
Brushing your teeth once in the morning and once before bed every day is necessary to achieve good oral health. It is encouraged to brush your teeth after lunch, however, if that’s not feasible, rinsing your mouth out thoroughly to dislodge food particles can help keep your mouth clean.
What Happens If I Brush My Teeth Too Long?
Each brushing session should last at least two minutes. This is to ensure your toothbrush reaches all of your teeth, including the inside, outside, and chewing surfaces. Brushing your teeth too long can lead to the use of too much force that can lead to erosion of tooth enamel and gum damage. These conditions can eventually cause tooth sensitivity.
How Long After Eating Should I Brush My Teeth?
If you choose to eat breakfast before brushing your teeth, wait about an hour before brushing. Acidic foods soften tooth enamel, brushing immediately after eating breakfast can remove enamel, the hard outer surface layer on teeth that protects against tooth decay.
Is It Bad to Eat after Brushing My Teeth?
You are able to eat after brushing your teeth. However, if you’re prone to developing cavities, it’s a good idea to wait to eat as long as you can after brushing teeth to let the fluoride in toothpaste to strengthen your tooth enamel.
Is it ok to Chew Gum after Brushing My Teeth?
If you decide to chew gum after brushing your teeth, it is important to make sure it’s sugar-free. Sugar-free gum containing the artificial sweetener sorbitol or xylitol doesn’t cause tooth decay. In fact, chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after a meal helps your mouth neutralize acids that erode enamel. Other benefits of chewing sugar-free gum after meals include:
- Reducing plaque buildup
- Producing saliva that reduces the harmful side effects of dry mouth, including bad breath
- Reducing certain types of bacteria and cancer-causing agents
What’s the Best Time to Brush My Teeth?
Try to make it a habit to brush once in the morning and again before bed with a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste that contains fluoride. Nighttime is also when you should floss your teeth to remove food particles that cause plaque and tooth decay.
Maintaining your dental care is an essential part of good oral health. For more information about proper brushing habits or to schedule a cleaning, make an appointment today or stop by one of our many convenient New York area offices. We have offices open seven days a week with extended weekday hours for your convenience, and we welcome walk-ins.
