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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    How many times a day should I brush my teeth?

    Related Topic
    Oral Health
    And what times of the day?
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    Dr Arnold Baume

    Dentist

     The minimum time you should spend brushing your teeth is 2 minutes twice a day. Here are some tips on how to brush properly:

    • Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle against your gumline. Gently brush from where the tooth and gum meet to the chewing surface in short (about half-a-tooth-wide) strokes. Brushing too hard can cause receding gums, tooth sensitivity, and, over time, loose teeth.
    • Use the same method to brush all outside and inside surfaces of your teeth.
    • To clean the chewing surfaces of your teeth, use short sweeping strokes, tipping the bristles into the pits and crevices.
    • To clean the inside surfaces of your top and bottom front teeth and gums, hold the brush almost vertical. With back and forth motions, bring the front part of the brush over the teeth and gums.
    • Using a forward-sweeping motion, gently brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth to remove the decay-causing bacteria that exist in these places.
    • Use an egg timer or play a favorite song while brushing your teeth to get used to brushing for a full 2 to 3 minutes. Some electronic toothbrushes have timers that let you know when 2 minutes are up.

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    Dr Kevin Jaffar

    Dentist

    Jaffar Dental - Trusted and Established since 1997. We are a family owned General Dental Practice offering a friendly and caring environment in Waterford QLD. … View Profile

    Two to three times.
    After every main meal.

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    Dr Michael Leong

    Dentist

    Welcome to Just Dental Care. “We do CARE”. We provide quality care and affordable dentistry to you and your family. We provide a comprehensive range … View Profile

    How many times should I brush my teeth, and what times of the day?

    At Just Dental Care we recommend brushing after all meals. If this is not practical then after breakfast and dinner.
    There is no point brushing before breakfast as there may be residue food and plaque left after eating. If the food is not removed via brushing and flossing there is a greater chance for bacteria from inside your mouth to convert sugary foods or acids (from fruits) into acid for example.

    If you can't brush as often it is recommended to brush at least before you go to bed. When you are asleep, your saliva production decreases. As a result there is less saliva available to neutralise the acids that are being created in your mouth.

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    Dr Richard Mumford

    Dentist

    Friendly, personal & experienced Chatswood Dentist for over 30 years. A professional practice where the patient comes first and there is no pushy salesmanship. View Profile

    Thoroughness is more importance than frequency.I have seen patients who swear that they brush five times a day but are still bad!If you are brushing every side of every tooth twice a day will usually do it but remember to clean between your teeth with floss or similar before you go to bed. Also at the latest conferences there is increasing attention to cleaning your tongue as well!

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  • Dr Rohan Wijey

    Dentist

    Dr Wijey was born in Sydney, and then moved to the Gold Coast, Queensland, where he graduated from Griffith University in Dentistry in 2009. At … View Profile

    There is consensus in the literature to say that tooth brushing (meticulously) once per day is sufficient. 

    In terms of time of the day, the literature is inconculsive, but after meals seems the most logical time.

    This advice, however, should be modulated based on each individual patient's oral health; i.e., brushing erosively-altered teeth (due to acidic oral environments, foods etc) can be harmful.

    The best way to ensure a lack of oral disease is to eliminate the respoible dietary factors - simple carbohydrates.

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  • Shruti Dewan

    HealthShare Member

    U should brush your teeth twice daily....once after your breakfast and then second time after your dinner for about 1.5 min

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