When we are children that's one of the first things our parents teach us: to brush our teeth – it's actually one of the first “health habits” we are taught as kids. To brush your teeth is most elementary and effective way to take care of your teeth and to have them and your gums healthy for life. But it needs to be a habit – it needs to be something you do every day of your life, even if you like or not.

It's fascinating how regularly adults let their tooth brushing to pass away. Or they just forget which one is the right technique to brush them, or how many times they should do it.

Do you have any idea how many times a day do you have to brush your teeth? Take this quiz now to find out...

People need to brush their teeth:

At least once a week
Every day - in the morning
Every day - at night
Every day, but only after lunch
Every day – twice a day – at night and in the morning

The right answer for that is : e!

The ADA (American Dental Association) suggest people should brush their teeth two times a day – one of them before going to bed and the other one in the morning. To brush your teeth at night improves to get rid of bacteria and preserves your mouth clean while you're sleeping. To brush your teeth in the morning improves your breath and gets rid of any bacteria that grew up during the night.

But what would happen if you only brush once a day and you forget to do it again? If that happens – but try to brush your teeth two times a day – brush them at night before going to sleep. Why? During the time you're sleeping, the bacteria in your mouth are laying in there. That's why is so important to brush them, at least, at night.

As an example, if you have a soda, or eat something with sugar before going to bed, and then you go to sleep without having brush your teeth, you're letting the bacteria to be there all night without supervision!

But, if you brush them at night, you're getting a start in battling those bacterias that stays inside your mouth all night. You're preventing they damage your teeth and gums!

In addition of brushing your teeth, the ADA suggests that you floss one time a day also. It's important to floss also because it keeps your teeth clean between each one of them and also keeps your gums healthy. To floss keeps your gums in shape because if you don't do it, they might bleed which can be a sign of a possible gum disease.

Dentists and dental hygienists always take a firm stand on the importance of flossing, and recommend doing it at least twice a day. Here are 6 very good reasons why you should listen to them:

To prevent tooth decay: Dental plaque can cause cavities if it’s left between teeth. When mixed with sugar, the bacteria that live in plaque can start the process of tooth decay. This is why it’s bad for plaque to be left in your mouth. Brushing alone does not clean in between teeth, only dental floss can remove plaque in those areas.
To prevent gum disease: Gingivitis (inflammation of gums) is the first stage of gum disease (periodontal disease). It is caused by an accumulation of plaque around gums and between teeth. Plaque also contains bacteria that are harmful for the gums. Flossing is therefore important to remove all plaque accumulated after a meal.
To prevent halitosis: Dental plaque is one of the causes of halitosis, and if it’s left between your teeth, it will generate a bad smell in your mouth. This odour comes from the metabolism of the bacteria contained in plaque. Bad breath can also be caused by gum disease and tooth decay which are also primarily caused by plaque.
To prevent tartar build-up: Tartar is actually dental plaque that has become hard from the saliva’s calcifying action. Good oral hygiene measures, which include brushing and flossing, can slow down the accumulation of tartar, but does not actually remove it. Some people produce tartar more than others. Regular dental cleanings are recommended to remove tartar.
To reduce the risk of heart disease: As mentioned earlier, the mouth is an entry point to harmful bacteria that may eventually reach the body organs, including cardiac tissue. Dental plaque, which contains dangerous bacteria, must be therefore eliminated to prevent those micro-organisms to reach the heart through the blood stream and cause heart disease complications.
To avoid the complications of diabetes: There is scientific evidence that people who suffer from diabetes can have their condition complicated by gum disease. Diabetics usually have a weaker immune system and take more time to fight inflammations and infections, including the ones that start in the mouth. That’s why oral hygiene, which includes daily brushing and flossing, is very important to prevent diseases, or disease complications, such as diabetes.

Schedule an appointment today with our dentist in Huntington Beach ... Call (714) 848-4247

Location: 18652 Florida St #300, Huntington Beach, CA 92648