To Brush or Not to Brush, That is the Question

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When do you need to brush your teeth? Should you brush after every single meal? How long do you have to brush? These are a few of the questions that surround the world of dental hygiene, and many begin asking these questions as children.

Parents frequently tell children to brush following a meal. However, it can be beneficial to wait 30 minutes after eating before brushing—especially if you’ve eaten something acidic. In the meantime, MouthHealthy.org recommends drinking some water or chewing some sugar-free gum.

The length of time spent brushing may also play a key role in obtaining a healthy smile. Some people brush their teeth for roughly 45 seconds, but a full two-minute brushing twice a day is recommended.

While brushing for a few seconds may be ineffective, brushing too long or too hard can also be harmful in that it may erode the enamel on your teeth and damage your gums.

Brushes with small heads may be more effective in cleaning the back molars as they may be easier to maneuver.

For help answering questions and for more brushing tips, call our dentist, Dr. Jim Tatum, at 334-745-3135 to schedule an appointment today. At Opelika Dental Arts, we are happy to help get you to your healthiest you in our Opelika, Alabama, office.