How Often Should I Brush My Teeth?

If you forget to brush your teeth sometimes and ask yourself “how often should I brush my teeth?” you are not alone. We all forget things. If you do forget to brush your teeth, do it as soon as you think of it. If forgetting to brush becomes a habit, sadly, your teeth and gums will suffer. Often it is children who tend to forget, but it can be a problem for adults too.

Here are some tips to help you remember and keep your oral care a priority.

  1. Make it part of your everyday grooming routine to brush your teeth. Wake up, use the bathroom, brush your teeth, shower. When it becomes part of a routine, it is easier to remember.
  2.  Use your phone to set a timer or alarm to remind you when it is time to brush your teeth. Usually, in the morning and evening make the most sense, but maybe with your schedule, you need it to be right after breakfast and right before bed. Whenever you determine is the best time to brush, alert yourself and do it.
  3. Substitutes. Carry sugar-free gum and/or a sample size mouthwash with you in your bag or purse. When you can’t brush your teeth, take some time for a quick swish of mouthwash or pop some gum in your mouth.

How Many Times a Day Should I Brush My Teeth?

If you can brush your teeth after each meal or snack that would be fantastic, but often is not realistic. At the very least, brush your teeth twice daily for two minutes and floss with the night brushing. Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily constitute the basics of good oral hygiene. Keeping other parts of your mouth, such as your gums, healthy can benefit your overall health by preventing the spread of germs and disease. At-home care should be supplemented by professional care. When plaque or tartar develops, a dentist or oral hygienist will use special tools to scrape (scale) the teeth clean without damage. Fluoride treatment can help keep teeth cavity-free.

Why is it Important to Brush During Flu Season?

We have officially entered cold and flu season and most of us are taking extra precautions in order to maintain our health.  Washing hands regularly, not sneezing or coughing into your hands, and avoiding touching your face are all easy steps to steer clear of getting sick in the winter months. Brushing your teeth is another behavior that may also keep you from catching that nasty cold, flu, or even pneumonia bug, according to a recent study conducted at Yale University School of Medicine.

Dr. Antonio Lopez-Ibarra in Kennewick WA recommends brushing your teeth for at least two minutes, twice a day, with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, minimizing your intake of sugary foods and drinks, and regularly visiting a dental professional, such as a cosmetic or sedation dentist.  No one likes getting sick, and this new research proves that there is one more simple step everyone can take to help prevent it.  Be sure to protect yourself from the cold and flu, and make oral hygiene a priority.