When It Comes to Tooth Brushing, Timing Is Everything, Says Dr. Duraes

You probably brush your teeth on autopilot every day.

But Bloomingdale dentist Dr. Gabriela Duraes explains that you should be paying more attention to exactly when and for how long you’re brushing.

A Bad Time to Brush?

Yes, that’s a thing!

If you’re brushing at the wrong time, then you may as well not brush at all. You could even be doing your teeth more damage than you realize.

For instance, you don’t want to brush too soon after eating. Brushing within a half hour of having a meal spreads around acids from food. It’s better to rinse thoroughly with water or wait for your saliva to naturally neutralize the acid before brushing.

You may be in the habit of giving your teeth a quick scrub after meals (like breakfast) before you rush out the door. But, it may be better to wait until you reach the office to brush your teeth or just brush them first thing when you wake up.

How Long Are You Brushing?

The next hot topic is that of tooth brushing duration.

You should be spending a full two minutes on brushing your teeth. It’s easy to stop once your mouth feels foamy and minty, but you need to give your teeth extra attention still.

That time allows the ingredients in toothpaste to do their job and improves your chances of brushing away as much bacteria as possible.

Train yourself to brush longer by:

• Setting a timer
• Using a pre-programmed powered toothbrush
• Brushing for the duration of a favorite song

Need more tips for getting your tooth brushing routine in shape? Call Blooming Smiles Dental Studio today for a consultation.

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