How Many Times a Day Should You Brush Your Teeth
Our teeth help us do many incredible things, whether that be make a lovely first impression with a winning smile or even help us consume delicious meals that sustain our bodies. Without our teeth in healthy condition, we may struggle to enjoy the simple pleasures of day-to-day life. Therefore, taking care of our teeth and developing a proper oral hygiene routine is important.1
From developing habits of consistently brushing your teeth to flossing on a regular basis, and even scheduling routine checkups with your dental hygienist, there are many ways you can help yourself to have a healthy smile.2 We’ll discuss how to properly care for your teeth with brushing and flossing tips and techniques, as well as recommendations on how often you should have your teeth cleaned.
Brushing Your Teeth: Tips and Techniques
You may have been told as a child by a parent or guardian just how important it is to brush your teeth every day. But perhaps you’ve been wondering how many times a day you should be brushing your teeth. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends you brush your teeth twice a day to remove dental plaque, which can cause tooth decay and gum disease.3 The ADA recommends using a soft-bristled toothbrush that fits your mouth, allowing you to reach all areas with ease.4 Another recommendation from the ADA is to change out your toothbrush every three to four months (or sooner if your bristles become frayed), as they will not clean well.5
Not only do you want a proper toothbrush for a thorough cleaning, but an effective brushing technique can also be a game changer for better oral hygiene. We suggest:
- Placing your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.
- Move the toothbrush gently back and forth in short, tooth-wide strokes.
- Make sure to brush the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of the teeth so that you don’t miss any food that may be hiding.
- Brush for about two minutes, as this suggested time ensures you spend enough time effectively cleaning your teeth.
- The “2-and-2 method” can help you remember how many times a day you should be brushing your teeth. The “2-and-2 method” means brushing twice a day for two minutes.6
Flossing Tips and Techniques
Not only is developing a solid tooth brushing routine important for good oral hygiene, but so is creating a schedule to floss. Cleaning plaque off your teeth can be done with a toothbrush and floss or interdental cleaners. Floss or interdental cleaners are used to clean in-between your teeth.7 If plaque between your teeth isn’t removed, it can harden on your teeth above or below the gum line, causing the gums to become red and swollen, and it may lead to complications like gingivitis.8 Here are some suggested flossing techniques that can help you remove plaque and any food stuck between your teeth:
- Use a string of floss that’s about two feet long and wrap it around the middle finger of each hand.
- Grip the floss between your thumb and index finger of each hand.
- Place the floss gently between your teeth until it reaches the gum line.
- Curve the floss like the letter “C” around the tooth, sliding the floss up and down under the edge of the gum – be careful not to force the floss too far under the edge of the gum line as this could cause potential damage.9
- Move from one tooth to the next, until you’ve flossed in between all teeth.
The Gravity of Getting a Cavity
Without taking proper care of your teeth by brushing and cleaning in between your teeth on a daily basis, you could be more prone to developing cavities. Cavities—also known as tooth decay or caries—start with a buildup of plaque bacteria in your mouth, which usually is caused by infrequent brushing.10 This can also be exacerbated by consuming sugary foods and drinks.
At first, you may not even notice that you have a cavity, but over time as the decay gets larger, you may experience various symptoms. Such symptoms include tooth sensitivity, mild to sharp pain when eating or drinking something sweet, hot, or cold, and you may even see brown and black staining on the surface of a tooth.11
In order to avoid developing cavities, you can be sure to brush and floss every day. According to the American Dental Association, you should also get regular professional oral exams and teeth cleanings to help spot any signs of tooth decay or other oral disease early on.12 Depending on your needs, your dentist and oral hygienist may recommend more frequent cleanings.
Be sure to talk with your dentist if you think you’re developing symptoms of tooth decay. Learn more about dental hygiene by exploring our resources on topics like cavity prevention, the causes of bad breath, and more.
- Oral Hygiene. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/oral-hygiene/more-info. Accessed on 2/5/2021. Referenced text indicated on page 1 in source PDF.
- Oral Hygiene. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/oral-hygiene/more-info. Accessed on 2/5/2021. Referenced text indicated on page 1 in source PDF.
- Oral Hygiene. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/oral-hygiene/more-info. Accessed on 2/5/2021. Referenced text indicated on page 1 in source PDF.
- Brushing Your Teeth. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/brushing-your-teeth. Accessed on 2/5/2021. Referenced text indicated on page 1 in source PDF.
- Brushing Your Teeth. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/brushing-your-teeth. Accessed on 2/5/2021. Referenced text indicated on page 1 in source PDF.
- Brushing Your Teeth. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/brushing-your-teeth. Accessed on 2/5/2021. Referenced text indicated on page 1 in source PDF.
- Oral Hygiene. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/oral-hygiene/more-info. Accessed on 2/5/2021. Referenced text indicated on page 3 in source PDF.
- Oral Hygiene. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/oral-hygiene/more-info. Accessed on 2/5/2021. Referenced text indicated on page 3 in source PDF.
- Oral Hygiene. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/oral-hygiene/more-info. Accessed on 2/5/2021. Referenced text indicated on page 4 in source PDF.
- Cavities/Tooth Decay. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cavities/symptoms-causes/syc-20352892. Accessed on 2/5/2021. Referenced text indicated on page 1 in source PDF.
- Cavities/Tooth Decay. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cavities/symptoms-causes/syc-20352892. Accessed on 2/5/2021. Referenced text indicated on page 1 in source PDF.
- Cavities/Tooth Decay. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cavities/symptoms-causes/syc-20352892. Accessed on 2/5/2021. Referenced text indicated on page 5 in source PDF.
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