For years, you probably have heard that dentists recommend you brush your teeth after every meal. But is it really necessary?
Brushing your teeth doesn’t take a lot of time, but it can be a little time-consuming. Plus, it’s not always convenient. Most people don’t carry a toothbrush and toothpaste with them wherever they go, let alone dental floss.
So how serious are these experts when they say you should brush after every meal?
More of a Guideline
The purpose of brushing your teeth is to remove food particles from the surface of your teeth and to dislodge anything that can become trapped between teeth. When these things aren’t removed, they can promote the formation of plaque on teeth surface quickly.
It’s kind of gross, but decaying food particles also can give you bad breath. Smoking does, too. So if you don’t brush frequently, it can get pretty bad.
So that’s why dental experts recommend brushing after every meal. But they also understand that it’s not always convenient. Or you may not always have the equipment you need. So that’s why it’s more of a recommendation than a strict rule.
Brush As Often as You Can
A good rule of thumb is to brush your teeth every morning when you get up and before you go to bed at night. If you are able to brush your teeth after meals as well, all the better.
If you wear orthodontic braces, Invisalign separators, or have had tooth problems in the past, you probably ought to brush more frequently.
Just remember: The more often you brush, the cleaner your teeth will be, the fresher your breath, and the lower the risk for things like tooth decay and gum disease. So brush as often as you can, be aware of your dental health, and make sure you see your dentist regularly.
