Why Should You Brush Twice A Day

There are many things that are drilled into us as children: look both ways before crossing the street, breakfast is the most important meal of the day and remember to brush your teeth twice a day.

Brushing your teeth becomes such a habit, you probably don’t stop to think about why it’s so important.

Surprisingly many of the patients who visit our Philadelphia dental office report that they’re only brushing once a day. Perhaps it’s time to review the reasons WHY we should all brush twice a day, both in the morning and before we go to bed.

Philadelphia dentist Pamela Doray, DMD wants to share the top reasons why brushing twice a day is so important:

Reduces Bacteria In The Mouth

We cannot overlook the importance of brushing for healthy teeth and gums.

Plaque is a sticky substance that is constantly forming over the teeth. Bacteria grow and thrive in this environment. If plaque is not adequately removed from the teeth and gums on a daily basis, the accumulated bacteria may cause cavities, periodontal disease or both.

When plaque hardens, it turns into tartar which is a hard substance that is difficult to remove with simple at home measures. Tartar can actually push down into pockets of the gum, causing further irritation such as sore or bleeding gums and increasing risk of gum disease.

Brushing twice a day limits the amount of plaque in the mouth and therefore reduces the amount of bacteria, the formation of tartar and potential dental diseases.

Freshens Breath

Another seemingly obvious reason for brushing your teeth is to freshen breath. There are many things that cause bad breath. The most common are food and drink and odor-causing bacteria.

Increases Saliva

A dry mouth is an unhealthy environment. Saliva keeps the mouth moist and comfortable, helps you to speak and chew properly and washes away bacteria. When you sleep, saliva production drops. Brushing your teeth when you wake up gets rid of plaque and bacteria that has formed overnight and boosts saliva production.

Throughout the day, you can drink water and chew sugar-free gum to increase salivation.

Removes Stains

Many of the things we enjoy like coffee, wine and tea can stain our teeth. Brushing twice a day can help to remove these stains before they take hold and have a permanent effect.

Don’t Forget to Floss

Along with brushing twice a day, Dr. Doray also recommends flossing at least once a day. Only about two-thirds of a tooth’s surface can be reached with a tooth brush. Flossing helps you reach the areas between teeth and around the gum line where plaque commonly builds up.

Plaque hardens into tartar in about 24 to 36 hours so flossing is one more important step you can take to make sure that you reduce your risk of gum disease.

Visit Our Philadelphia Dental Office

Make your next dental appointment with Philadelphia dentist Dr. Pamela Doray. Call us at (215) 395-6076 or request an appointment online.