How Often You Should Brush and Floss Your Teeth
Brushing and flossing are parts of your dental hygiene routine. Most people should brush and floss their teeth twice a day, but you should follow any specific instructions that your dentist gives you.
That said, daily upkeep isn't everybody's favorite. However, research continually shows that these simple things are among our best tools for maintaining dental and oral health. Let's look at some of the details.
Why We Brush and Floss
The main reason that we brush and floss is to remove plaque and food particles — fresh breath is just a pleasant side effect. The sugars in plaque and food ferment in your mouth to create an acidic environment. This acid damages your tooth enamel.
Plaque can also harden, creating tartar deposits. This can lead to problems such as gum disease. As you can see, plaque is definitely worth removing. Brushing and flossing is the best way to get rid of it.
How Often To Brush and Floss
The basic recommendation for brushing and flossing is to do it twice a day. However, you might also consider doing it after each meal. The key is to remove plaque without damaging your gums or enamel, which brings us to when you should brush and floss.
When To Brush and Floss
Brushing and flossing after meals is generally a good idea, but keep in mind that acid is the main cause of enamel damage and cavity formation. Brushing directly after you eat or drink highly acidic foods and beverages could actually damage your teeth by removing enamel.
Things like soft drinks, pickles, and orange juice are often highly acidic. Many fruits also have high acid levels. Wait an hour before brushing after eating or drinking these.
In terms of flossing, choosing your times wisely can help as well. If you are like many people and have trouble finding the time to floss properly, you might want to do your evening flossing in front of the television. It might sound strange at first, but it sometimes helps to have a distraction.
What To Do and What To Avoid Doing
Some things can hurt your teeth even if you brush twice a day. Here are some examples:
- Constant snacking, especially with sweets
- Brushing excessively hard
Good habits can make a difference, too. Here are some things that will support your brushing schedule:
- Eating a balanced diet and drinking plenty of water
- Rinsing with mouthwash after brushing and flossing
- Replacing your toothbrush regularly
