Have you ever wondered how long you should brush your teeth? Your dentist may have told you, or maybe you read it in a magazine or online. Maybe a friend claimed there's a recommended time for how long you should brush your teeth, but it didn't sound right or you didn't believe them. You might have heard about it in a health class in school. But do you remember?
Before discussing how long you should brush your teeth, let's talk about the equipment you need and a few facts to help make your decisions.
You'll find an entire section dedicated to oral health at drug stores, grocery stores, and even some department stores. Toothbrushes are lined up according to brands and types, with so many colors and sizes it can be overwhelming.
There are ultra-soft, medium, and even firm toothbrushes. There are toothbrushes for adults and fun-looking ones for kids. Large heads with flat bristles, small heads with jagged bristles, and short replacement heads for electric toothbrushes — the list goes on and on. That doesn't even include tongue scrapers, dental floss, and water flossers, and they all range in price dramatically.
So what kind of toothbrush should you buy?
The best type of toothbrush is one with soft bristles. It doesn't matter if you prefer a manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush. Either way, toothbrush bristles should be soft.
Why soft? If you use a firm or medium brush, you can damage your gums and teeth. Soft bristles also get in between your teeth more easily than firm bristles. Plus, when you think about how long you should brush your teeth, you might feel some discomfort in your mouth with a firm toothbrush. And that means you might not brush as long as you should.
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends choosing a toothpaste with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. To receive the ADA's approval, the toothpaste must meet three main criteria:
In addition, toothpaste companies must submit extensive information that shows their toothpaste is safe and works in the way it's intended — to help clean teeth and support good oral health.
Brush your teeth for two full minutes. No more, no less. That's how long it takes to remove dental plaque — a sticky coating of bacteria and sugar — and bits of food between your teeth.
You could think of it as 30 seconds for each quadrant of your mouth: the right and left sides of the top and bottom. Brush for 30 seconds on the bottom left from the front to the back. Repeat for the bottom right, the top right, and the top left. Finish with a final sweep of your front teeth. If you've done a good job, you've likely removed all traces of plaque.
Plaque can cause tooth decay and gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis. Plaque can also harden into tartar, which can become stained and cause cavities quickly. Only your dentist can remove tartar, so be sure to brush your teeth for at least two minutes. Here's how:
Think you can't brush for that long?
Try setting a timer. Get started brushing, and make sure you brush every surface of your teeth and in between. You'll find that two minutes isn't that long.
Don't forget to floss! It's important to floss every day to remove plaque and food your toothbrush didn't reach.
Dentists recommend brushing your teeth thoroughly for two minutes twice a day. That's morning and night, just before bedtime. If you want to brush after meals and snacks, that's fine too. Just remember, the American Dental Association recommends waiting at least 60 minutes after eating before brushing your teeth. Some other authorities suggest waiting 30-45 minutes, especially after eating acidic foods like citrus fruits. Either way, the goal is to allow your mouth to return to a normal pH level before brushing.
But even if you brush only two times a day, as long as you brush meticulously for two minutes to remove plaque and food between your teeth, that will keep your teeth in good shape. Check out this short video to see the right way to brush your teeth.
If you brush for only one minute or even less, you might not remove all the plaque on your teeth. You might miss some spots that are difficult to reach, or you could miss the tiny bits of food that stick between your teeth.
Plaque is formed from bacteria, food, and saliva, and it's the cause of tooth decay. Brushing removes plaque as well as the food and bacteria that causes it, and that's why brushing is so important to keeping your teeth healthy.
More isn't better when it comes to how long you should brush your teeth. If you brush too long, you could damage the enamel that protects your teeth. This abrasion can create sensitivity and brown discoloration near your gumline, and it can even cause gums to recede.
Two minutes is long enough to do a good job when you brush your teeth. Review the steps above if you're worried you're not brushing your teeth right.
When it comes to how long you should brush your teeth, dentists recommend two minutes twice a day. And that's based on research. One study on tooth brushing showed that "brushing for 120 seconds removed 26% more plaque than brushing for 45 seconds."
If you want to know whether you're doing a good job removing plaque, you might want to try plaque-disclosing tablets. Check with your dentist first to be sure they're right for you. They may have them, or you can buy the tablets at a drug store. Just chew a tablet, rinse with water, and a harmless dye stains any remaining plaque.
Looking for better health and longevity? Better care of your oral health can be one of the most powerful determinants of a healthier and happier life. Pearly is the world's first oral health management app. Download the app to get started.
