Teeth Cleaning: Why Should You Brush Twice a Day?

3.5 billion people are affected by oral diseases, and if you’re among this number, you know just how much oral health matters when it comes to your overall physical and mental health.

Dealing with tooth or gum pain can be debilitating, keeping you up at night, preventing you from being able to rest or concentrate. There are ways to prevent this ailment from occurring, which is why your dentist has most likely recommended you brush twice a day.

No, they’re not just saying it for fun. There are profound benefits to brushing your teeth twice a day, and it’s such a simple way to keep your oral health in check. Read on for more information.

Continuously Get Rid of Plaque

One of the main reasons you brush your teeth is the removal of plaque.

Plaque is continuously created when you eat, as bits of food mix with oral bacteria. It is a filmy and sticky substance that sticks to your teeth and gums. While this is a natural occurrence, it can cause damage to your teeth if not treated properly.

As the bacteria in the plaque absorbs the particles of food, it releases acid, which can eat away at the enamel of your teeth, resulting in tooth decay.

If the plaque remains in place, it will eventually turn into cavities. Brushing twice daily can help remove this plaque before this occurs, saving you time in the dentist’s chair.

Prevent Tartar Buildup

When you go to the dentist for teeth cleaning, you will also get tartar scraped off your teeth. Tartar is created when plaque has become calcified on your teeth.

This occurs when plaque becomes hardened, which happens when it is undisturbed. The process generally takes 24 hours, so if you’re brushing twice a day, this buildup of tartar can be prevented.

While you can brush and floss plaque away, the only way to get rid of tartar is by having your dentist scrape it off. Besides its unattractive yellow hue, tartar is also porous, allowing bacteria to hide and create even more problems for your oral health.

Stop Bad Breath

Bad breath occurs as your tongue releases anaerobic bacteria, which is quite often. This is why there’s such a thing as morning breath.

Daily brushing can help prevent bad breath, and even more so if you brush twice daily. When you brush, you should always brush your tongue, which helps get rid of the bacteria and prevent a buildup, causing your breath to become even worse.

Brushing your teeth also gets rid of leftover food, which can start to rot and also contribute to your bad breath. Instead, avoid this embarrassment and brush both in the morning and at night.

Get Whiter Teeth

Using a magical teeth whitener isn’t enough to get and keep your teeth sparkling white. When you drink and eat, pigments are absorbed into your teeth which can cause discoloration over time.

If you are brushing twice a day, you can remove some of these pigments that your teeth didn’t fully absorb. It will also help to avoid the yellow hue of tartar buildup.

You can choose to brush with whitening toothpaste, which can enhance your chances of a whiter smile. These products usually contain baking soda, which helps polish your teeth, and peroxide, which can bleach away stains.

Consistency is key in getting whiter teeth, which is why brushing twice a day can get your oral health where you want it to be and keep you there.

Promote Healthy Gums

The health of your gums is just as, if not more, important than your oral health. Gum disease should be taken seriously, as it can result in tooth and bone loss when not adequately addressed.

The acid that occurs from plaque can also irritate the soft tissues in your mouth, resulting in inflammation that can cause gum disease.

When you brush your teeth twice a day, you dilute this acid and reduce inflammation, preventing gum disease from progressing.

If you’re interested in more ways to optimize your oral health, click for more information.

Should You Brush After Every Meal?

Some dentists suggest that brushing after every meal is the best way to prevent plaque, tartar, and discoloration from occurring on your teeth.

If you brush within 30 minutes after eating, it can slow down the bacteria from colonizing and causing tooth decay. While this is ideal, it is not always possible to brush your teeth after every meal, and most dentists will agree that it is not entirely necessary.

Instead, if you diligently brush your teeth at least twice a day, you can have the same results as if you would brush them right after your meals. However, if you choose only to brush once a day, the plaque and tartar buildup will multiply, and your oral health will suffer.

Brush Twice a Day for Optimum Health

Brushing your teeth twice a day only takes a few minutes of your time, but it can benefit you in more ways than one. If you’re looking to upgrade your oral health routine, or perhaps you feel you’ve been neglecting your oral health, it’s time to start incorporating new habits.

Floss daily, brush twice a day, and visit your dentist twice a year. You’ll be glad you did when you can avoid getting all those cavities filled!

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