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.
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FAQs
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.
Does the time you brush your teeth matter? ›
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 what time I brush my teeth at night? ›
The best time to brush teeth at night is when you're getting ready for bed. Your mouth produces less saliva at night, so brushing before bed will help remove the cavity-causing bacteria that saliva usually washes away.
What happens if you brush your teeth longer than 2 minutes? ›
Although this is not always a bad thing, when you start brushing too much or for too long, you can ultimately damage your teeth. Brushing more than three times a day, and for longer than 2 minutes, can sometimes lead to your tooth enamel wearing down as well as cause damage to your gums.
How many hours should you wait between brushing your teeth? ›
If you prefer doing it after each meal, you may want to wait about 30-60 minutes. The American Dental Association has long recommended that you brush your teeth twice a day for a full 2 minutes both times.
Is it bad if I forgot to brush my teeth in the morning? ›
Within 24-48 hours of not brushing your teeth, the protective material underneath your enamel (known as 'dentin') can start to decalcify. By missing one day of brushing, your window of time to eliminate plaque becomes small and the chance of damaging your teeth significantly increases.
Which type of smile is rarest? ›
The rarest smile type is the complex smile, with only an estimated 2% of the population possessing this smile. This smile is rare because it requires three muscle groups to work simultaneously when smiling.
What if I only brush my teeth in the morning? ›
Some common issues associated with habitually only brushing your teeth once a day are an increased risk of: Cavities. Advanced decay that could require additional dental treatment such as a root canal. Gum disease.
Is it OK if you only brush your teeth at night? ›
It's standard practice to brush your teeth twice a day. But are the two brushing moments equally important? The answer, it turns out, is no. “If you had to choose, brushing at night is more important,” says Dr.
Is it enough to brush teeth only at night? ›
Brushing in the morning cleans off the bacteria that may have settled overnight, while incorporating teeth brushing into your nightly routine removes food particles and acid that your teeth may have encountered during the day.
Is it Bad to Brush Your Teeth Too Much? Brushing your teeth more than the recommended two times per day can cause early tooth enamel erosion or the loss of tooth structure.
How long should I leave toothpaste on my teeth? ›
The reason why there is contention in the first place is because of the main ingredient that is present in your toothpaste: fluoride. The reason that dentists tell you to brush for two minutes is so that it gives the toothpaste and the fluoride enough time to work properly.
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.
Is it better to drink water before or after brushing teeth? ›
Health experts often warn against drinking water or consuming any liquid or solid right after brushing teeth. Reportedly, drinking water after brushing your teeth reduces the efficacy of your toothpaste. It is recommended to wait for at least 15-20 minutes before you drink or eat anything.
What is the 2 2 2 rule for brushing teeth? ›
2 minutes—2 times a day
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends the 2/2 rule: brush for 2 minutes in the morning and 2 minutes at night with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
Are you supposed to rinse with water after brushing? ›
Short answer: no, you should not rinse your mouth immediately after brushing your teeth. Most toothpastes contain an active ingredient called fluoride, which is a mineral that helps prevent tooth decay. When you rinse with water after brushing, you're prematurely washing out the fluoride that's working on your teeth.
Is it better to brush teeth in the morning or at night? ›
While it's optimal to brush your teeth both in the morning when you wake up and at night before you go to bed, brushing at night is actually more important. During the day, the foods you eat leave particles and debris on your teeth that feed bacteria.
Is it better to brush your teeth before or after breakfast? ›
The bacteria is not only responsible for morning breath, but for plaque formation too. By brushing before breakfast, you don't allow the bacteria from breakfast add to the plaque already formed. Brushing your teeth before breakfast also lowers the risk that the enamel will be damaged.
Can I skip brushing my teeth one night? ›
The reality is that not brushing your teeth before bed is bad news. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing your beautiful smile twice a day. Skip a session, and you're on your way to encouraging the growth of bacterial buildup in the form of plaque, which can lead to cavities and even gum disease.
