When and how often should you brush your teeth?
Answer From Cindy Zhou, D.M.D., M.S.
Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for at least two minutes each time you brush. This recommendation is from the American Dental Association.
When you brush, you help take food and plaque off your teeth. Plaque is a sticky white film that forms on teeth. Plaque has bacteria in it. After you eat a meal or snack that has sugar, the bacteria in plaque make acids that attack tooth enamel. Enamel is the hard outer coating that covers your teeth.
Over time, the acid breaks down tooth enamel. That can lead to cavities. And plaque that stays on teeth hardens into tartar. When there's tartar on your teeth, it's harder to keep them clean. Tartar buildup on the gums also leads to inflammation that causes gum disease.
To protect your teeth, don't brush them right after having food or drinks that contain a lot of acids. Examples include soft drinks, such as soda and sports drinks, sour candies, citrus juices and citrus fruits. The acid in them can soften the enamel. Brushing too soon after you eat or drink something acidic can take the enamel off your teeth. Wait an hour to brush. During that time, your saliva washes away the acid and the enamel hardens again.
If you have arthritis, if you have a hard time holding a toothbrush or if you have braces, try an electric or battery-operated toothbrush. Those toothbrushes may be easier to use.
Along with brushing your teeth twice a day, follow these steps to help keep your mouth healthy:
- Floss once a day.
- Drink plenty of water. If there's fluoride in your community's tap water, drinking it may help lower the risk of cavities.
- Eat a healthy diet and limit sugary food and drinks.
- Use mouthwash after brushing and flossing.
- Get a new toothbrush every 3 to 4 months. Replace it sooner if the bristles become worn down, bent or broken.
- Don't smoke or use other tobacco products.
- See a dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups.
With
Cindy Zhou, D.M.D., M.S.
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July 27, 2023
- Home oral care. American Dental Association. https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/oral-health-topics/home-care. Accessed June 29, 2023.
- Taking care of your teeth and mouth. National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/taking-care-your-teeth-and-mouth. Accessed June 29, 2023.
- Eat right for a healthy mouth and teeth. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. https://www.eatright.org/food/vitamins-and-supplements/nutrient-rich-foods/healthy-nutrition-for-healthy-teeth. Accessed June 29, 2023.
- Wilder RS, et al. Overview of gingivitis and periodontitis in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed June 29, 2023.
- Erosion: What you eat and drink can impact teeth. American Dental Association. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/all-topics-a-z/dietary-acids-and-your-teeth. Accessed June 30, 2023.
- Toothbrushes. American Dental Association. https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/oral-health-topics/toothbrushes. Accessed June 29, 2023.
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FAQs
Research shows that longer brushing times may or may not really be linked to better oral health, but less than two minutes does not provide enough time to remove sticky biofilms that attach to teeth. Brushing for less than two minutes means you likely are more at risk for: Tooth decay. Gum disease.
Does time matter when brushing teeth? ›
In short, the best times of day to brush your teeth are in the morning and in the evening. Some wonder if after eating breakfast is the best time to brush their teeth, but it's actually best to brush your teeth right when you wake up in the morning.
Does it matter how many times you brush your teeth? ›
Overbrushing your teeth – either by brushing too vigorously or too often – can accelerate the loss of enamel on your teeth and lead to gingivitis and gum recession. So, two (not more) is the recommended number of times to brush daily for optimal tooth health.
Is it better to brush your teeth for 2 or 3 minutes? ›
Many dentists agree that proper brushing takes at least two minutes while many insist that people must brush for three minutes — one and a half minutes on both the upper teeth and the bottom teeth. Most people don't even come close to brushing for two minutes, let alone three.
How many hours apart should I brush my teeth? ›
Plaque takes at least 12 hours to build up, which is why the American Dental Association recommends brushing for a minimum of two minutes twice daily. However, new studies show that brushing more than twice a day can prevent periodontitis.
What is the 2 minute rule for brushing teeth? ›
This isn't simply a magic rule – if you brush only one corner of your mouth for 2 minutes, you won't find the others to be clean. Brushing for 2 minutes is only effective when you do so thoroughly, and covering as much of the surface area of your teeth as possible is extremely important.
When's the best time to brush teeth? ›
Brushing twice a day is recommended as a minimum. Its most important to brush your teeth last thing at night to remove food debris which will prevent a harmful build-up of plaque through the night. Brush before breakfast, not afterwards to prevent tooth erosion. Brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes each time.
Should I rinse after brushing? ›
Don't rinse with water straight after toothbrushing
After brushing, spit out any excess toothpaste. Don't rinse your mouth immediately after brushing, as it'll wash away the concentrated fluoride in the remaining toothpaste. Rinsing dilutes it and reduces its preventative effects.
Is brushing 3 times a day too much? ›
No, brushing three times a day is not excessive. While twice a day is the minimum recommendation from the American Dental Association, brushing teeth after every meal is ideal for optimal oral health. The reason being that bacteria and food particles can accumulate on our teeth within minutes of eating or drinking.
What is the right way of brushing? ›
Proper Brushing Technique
Hold the bristles gently against the outside of your top teeth, near the gum line, at about a 45-degree angle upward. Sweep the brush gently back and forth over teeth and gums in soft strokes — or, if you prefer, use an elliptical (circular) motion to clean the teeth.
Your teeth can also develop stains from foods like berries, coffee, tea, red wine, sodas, et cetera. Staining also results from prescription medications, fluoride, and aging. Brushing your teeth diligently helps remove harmful plaque and bacteria from your teeth but isn't effective whiten them.
Is 30 minutes too long to brush your teeth? ›
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends people brush 2 minutes each time you brush your teeth. You should try to aim for brushing 30 second per quadrant to effectively remove any plaque and food debris left behind.
How to get rid of yellow teeth? ›
Use Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
Using this mixture removes bacteria and buildup of plaque to get rid of surface stains. Create a hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste and use it to brush your teeth. After that, use water to rinse the mouth. You can also create a mouthwash using equal amounts of each ingredient.
Is it better to brush at night or morning? ›
The Answer is Both! Brushing your teeth in both the morning and at night is important for healthy smiles! During the day and throughout the night, our mouths encounter different types of bacteria and produce saliva as a defense to fight the development of tooth decay and gum disease.
Should I brush my teeth before or after breakfast? ›
Takeaway. When you're looking to protect your tooth enamel, brushing right after you wake up in the morning is better than brushing your teeth after breakfast. If you have to brush your teeth after breakfast, try to wait at least 30 minutes before you brush.
When not to brush your teeth? ›
To protect your teeth, don't brush them right after having food or drinks that contain a lot of acids. Examples include soft drinks, such as soda and sports drinks, sour candies, citrus juices and citrus fruits. The acid in them can soften the enamel.
Does it matter what time you clean your teeth? ›
When should I brush my teeth? Brush your teeth for about 2 minutes last thing before you go to bed and on 1 other occasion every day. Your dentist or hygienist may give you more advice based on your own dental health and needs.
Can I brush my teeth 20 minutes after eating? ›
But the American Dental Association recommends that you wait one hour before brushing your teeth after eating or drinking acidic things. This may seem counterproductive, but it gives your saliva a chance to naturally wash away any erosive substances and re-harden the enamel on your teeth.
Why should you wait 30 minutes before brushing teeth? ›
Brushing immediately after consuming something acidic can damage the enamel layer of the tooth. Waiting about 30 minutes before brushing allows tooth enamel to remineralize and build itself back up.
Does it matter when I brush my teeth as long as it's twice a day? ›
How Many Times A Day Should You Brush Your Teeth? Most dentists believe you should brush your teeth at least twice a day – once in the morning and once in the evening. This is important because during the night, the formation of plaque is mostly undisturbed. Brushing after each meal is also endorsed by many dentists.
