Do you even remember a time when you weren’t brushing and flossing your teeth?
This should be a lifelong habit that you developed as a little kid so most of us do it almost automatically: wash your face, brush & floss your teeth, go to bed. Get up, brush your teeth, comb your hair. They are common rituals for most of us. But you’d be surprised how many questions we get about brushing and flossing – it turns out it’s more complicated than we all give it credit for! Take a look at some of our favorite questions (and answers) about the all-important brushing and flossing.
How Many Times Should I Brush My Teeth Each Day?
We would love to hear that everyone brushes their teeth after every meal and snack (and sugary drink!) but we know that’s not always possible for everyone. At minimum, we want you to brush twice a day – once in the morning and once at night. If you have braces, dentures, or are cavity-prone, we highly suggest that you make an effort to brush every time you eat or drink (other than water).
If I Brushed My Teeth at Night, Why Do I Have to Brush Them in the Morning Again?
Even if you haven’t eaten between brushing your teeth at night and brushing in the morning, it’s still really important to brush in the morning. Overnight, bacteria have been able to grow in your mouth – that’s what morning breath is! So get scrubbing and get those bacteria out and get a nice, fresh mouth, first thing in the AM.
When Should I Floss?
If you only floss once a day, it should be at night, when you brush your teeth before bed. This assure that little food particles that have gathered up during the day won’t get a chance to spawn extra bacteria between your teeth while you sleep. That being said, we are all for more frequent flossing! Many people like keeping a stash of the one-time-use mini flossers at work, in the car, or in their gym bag. Then you can do a quick floss every time you eat and make sure there’s nothing embarrassing hanging around in your teeth.
Are Electric Toothbrushes Better Than Regular Ones?
Studies have shown that electric toothbrushes give a slight advantage when it comes to reducing plaque and gingivitis. That being said, we’d rather you brush carefully for a full 2 minutes with a regular toothbrush than brush in a rush with an electric toothbrush. Also, be careful not to brush too hard with an electric tooth brush – you don’t want to damage your enamel. This is important with a regular brush as well, but it’s easier to unknowingly abuse yourself with an electric toothbrush than it is with a regular one.
One caveat to this: if you have arthritis or dexterity issues, an electric toothbrush may make it much easier for you to brush your teeth.
What’s the Best Regular Toothbrush?
Toothbrushes are pretty personal items – literally and figuratively! While we generally encourage everyone to use a soft-bristled toothbrush, the shape and size is up to you. What shape and size fit your mouth and allow you to adequately brush all of your teeth? That’s the right one for you. If you need help selecting the right toothbrush for you or your child, let us know – we’ll be happy to assist.
What’s the Best Toothpaste?
Paste or gel? Spearmint or cinnamon? Whitening or regular? There are a lot of choices out there! How do you choose? First of all, look for the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval. This assures you that the toothpaste has been tested and proved to be effective. From there, you might want to consider your tooth-brushing goals. If you have sensitive teeth, choose something that helps with sensitivity. Fluoride is also important, especially if fighting cavities is high on your priority list. Natural toothpastes are also fine, but it’s just as important to look for the ADA seal on these toothpastes as it is on others. For instance, Tom’s of Maine has a great line of all-natural, herbal toothpastes that are approved by the ADA.
Do I Need to Use Mouthwash?
You’ve brushed. You’ve flossed. You’re done. Or are you? Many people ask us if mouthwash is really necessary if you’ve done a good job brushing and flossing. Mouthwash can be effective for people who brush and floss regularly but still have problems controlling plaque. For some people, an antibacterial mouthwash may help stave off periodontal disease. There are few cases in which using mouthwash is harmful, but whatever you do – do NOT substitute brushing and flossing with only using mouthwash!