The American Dental Association recommends both children and adults brush twice a day for two minutes. However, some people may need to brush more often than others. Do you know how often you should be brushing? Here are some indicators about whether you should brush more frequently.
If You Have Gum Disease
People at all stages of gum disease, or periodontal disease, should brush after each meal or snack. One of the best defenses against gum disease is to keep teeth and gums as clean as possible between meals. Brushing helps rid teeth and gums of bacteria, which cause periodontal disease and tooth decay.
Gum disease has three stages. If you are at the first stage, called gingivitis, you can cure the disease with frequent brushing and flossing. If you have periodontitis, which is the two later stages of gum disease, you should be brushing and flossing after each meal or snack to keep your gums as healthy as possible.
If You Wear Braces
Braces are a great way to improve the look of your smile and fix your bite pattern. However, keeping braces clean is a challenge for anyone. If you do not keep your braces clean, you may face tooth decay and periodontal disease when they come off. You should brush and floss your teeth after each meal or snack. That way, you can get rid of any food particles trapped in your braces quickly.
If You Eat a Lot of Sugar
We know there are people out there with a serious sweet tooth, and we are not judging you. If you do love a daily dose of sugar, you may want to consider brushing more than twice a day. Bacteria love sugar, and they multiply rapidly when there is sugar present in your mouth. Brushing your teeth after you eat sugar is a great way to enjoy your sugary treat and keep your mouth healthy.
If you are not sure how often you should be brushing, we can help. Why not call us today to set up your next dental visit?
San Francisco Dental Arts, 220 Montgomery St Ste. 825, San Francisco, CA 94104 ^ 415-854-9396 ^ thesfdentist.com ^ 12/18/2024 ^ Associated Words: dentist San Francisco CA ^
The American Dental Association recommends both children and adults brush twice a day for two minutes. However, some people may need to brush more often than others. Do you know how often you should be brushing? Here are some indicators about whether you should brush more frequently. 
