BRUSHING TWICE DAILY, IS IT NECESSARY?

 

Many people argue that teeth brushing should be done once and in the morning. Others also think it is necessary to brush your teeth daily; morning and evening. In the midst of all confusion, let us look at the recommended time(s) to brush your teeth daily and the reasons why it is so.

The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice a day- one in the morning and one in the evening and with fluoride toothpaste for two minutes each time. You may wonder why brushing your teeth twice daily is important, that why this article is available to provide you with more reasons why it is recommended to brush twice daily.

1. To reduce bacteria growth in your mouth

Shortly after eating, the remains of food particles in your mouth improve bacteria growth. When bacteria grow in your mouth, they feed on the food particles and release acid as a by-product. The acid attacks and damages the enamel of your tooth that gradually weakens the gum and roots resulting in the decay of teeth.

2. Prevents plaque formation 

When you brush your teeth, you help remove food and plaque- a filmy, sticky substance which coats your tooth enamel and gums. Although the development of plaque is a continual natural occurrence, the substance can cause a great bit of damage to your teeth.

3. Prevention of tartar build-up

Tartar is actually plaque that has calcified or hardened on the teeth. The conversion of plaque to tartar only takes place if plaque remains undisturbed. In most cases, you need to see a dentist to remove tartar, as regular brushes are not strong enough to do so. However, when you brush twice a day, plaque can be removed before it hardens into tartar.

4. Prevention of bad breath

When the bacteria eat away the little bits of food stuck on your teeth and tongue, they produce bad breath. Brushing twice every day helps ensure that the micro-organisms that may be contributing to your bad breath are taken away even before they build up to the extent of causing your breath to be offensive. Also remember to brush your tongue thoroughly.

5. Protection of Gum

Brushing your teeth twice daily does not only prevent tooth decay and bad breath, but also protects the gum against gum diseases and infections. The acid that causes tooth decay irritates sensitive soft tissues in your mouth causing inflammations. These inflammations can also lead to gum disease. When you brush your teeth, you dilute the inflammatory acid and help rid your mouth of the bacteria that produce it.

6. Prevents stains and make your teeth whiter

Certain foods such as coffee, cola and blueberries can stain the enamel coating on teeth. As time goes on, these food pigments can accumulate and discolour your teeth. Regular teeth brushing can help remove some of these pigments. If you brush with a whitening toothpaste, you can give your teeth an even greater chance to avoid teeth discoloration. Whitening toothpaste often includes ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, to keep your teeth looking more whiter.

HOW TO BRUSH YOUR TEETH EFFECTIVELY?

1. Use a soft- bristle brush to avoid hurting your gums. Soft- bristle brush are capable of removing plaques and food particles that are stacked in between your teeth.
2. Brush for 2 minutes – Dentists recommend brushing for two minutes. This helps you thoroughly brush each tooth. Start with your molars and brush every side of each tooth, move from one tooth to another till each one is clean.
3. Use circular motion – Brushing in small circular motions is more effective, ensuring you get the most out of your two-minute routine.

There are a lot more reasons why you should brush your teeth twice daily that were not included in this article. Henceforth, make it a habit to brush your teeth early morning when you wake and also before you go to bed. It even becomes difficult if you were not trained that way and that is okay. But with self- discipline, you are very close to making this a habit and a daily routine. Brushing after each meal is also recommended by dentists.

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