Why do we need to brush twice daily and when is the best time to brush

DENTAL MATTERS

Most of us have visited a dentist in our life and are often advised to brush twice daily. But have we ever wondered when is the best time to brush and why are we advised to brush twice daily. Brushing removes the plaque, a sticky white film that coats your tooth. It contains bacteria which produces acids resulting in decay of the tooth enamel causing cavities. Plaque which is not removed results in production of a hard substance called calculus or tartar. Presence of tartar makes it difficult for us to clean the tooth and it also eventually results in gum diseases.

In the morning we mostly wake up with a foul smelling breath. This occurs as the bacteria that are in our mouth start multiplying when we are resting and leaves an unpleasant taste and odour in our mouth. Brushing your teeth right away would help to get rid of this harmful plaque and bacteria. It also results in providing a coating or a protective barrier against acids in your food.

Many of us practice brushing post breakfast, which does more harm than good. Popular breakfast foods like dried fruit, fruit juices, citrus fruit, bread, coffee breakdown to produce acids. The enamel in your teeth would have softened by these acids and brushing right away after breakfast would damage your teeth in due time. Although it should be avoided but if brushing your teeth after breakfast makes more sense for your routine then you should wait between 30 minutes or an hour before brushing your teeth after breakfast to make sure you are not hurting your protective enamel.

Breakfast foods like egg, curd and cereals tend to be better options to start your morning. Drinking some water or chewing sugar-free gum is a good way to clean your teeth after you eat and before you brush your teeth in the morning.

In the evening it is a good time to brush after dinner as you cleanse all the build up that has occurred during the day and also due to the protective barrier it minimizes the deposits that can occur overnight.

Brushing twice daily will keep your dental problems at bay but along with it flossing daily, using mouth washes, drinking plenty of water, regulating your diet and visiting a dentist regulary are additives which will leave you with a healthy and painless smile.

By: Dr Swagat Pranam Sharma,

Periodontist and Oral Implantologist.

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