Your dentist has likely always told you that you should brush your teeth twice a day, but there’s more to it than that. Brushing your teeth is not a formality, but instead serves an important purpose. Brushing your teeth helps remove food particles, thereby reducing plaque build-up. In doing so, you’ll end up protecting your oral health and reduce your chance of dental implants in the future. But there are proper ways to brush your teeth, many of which people are unaware of.
Brush For Two Minutes
According to the American Dental Association, brushing for two minutes twice a day is vital for your oral health. Tooth decay, and thereby dental implants, are significantly more likely when you don’t brush twice a day, for two minutes at a time. Studies have shown that brushing for two minutes can remove twice as much plaque, compared to brushing for one minute.
Two minutes also allows you the time to clean your teeth properly. You should not just be cleaning the outside surfaces of your teeth. Be sure to brush the sides of your teeth, closest to your cheeks, in addition to the front of your teeth. Also make sure that you’re not brushing your teeth too hard, which can ruin your gums and increase your susceptibility to future dental implants.
When To Brush
It’s important to always brush your teeth before going to bed. However, many people also think that they must brush immediately after eating. Waiting to brush until after breakfast increases your risk of tooth decay. That’s because you have less plaque after you brush your teeth, making it necessary to get rid of plaque before eating. Also try to avoid sugar, which can accelerate tooth decay.
