Why Brush twice a day?

Many people today feel that, with all the fresh minty wonderful mouthwashes and sprays on the market today, you don't have to brush your teeth but once a day. However, here are the top 5 reasons you should brush your teeth everyday no matter what your age.

1) Bacteria

It takes no time for bacteria to build up in your mouth so when you brush your teeth twice a day you eliminate damaging bacteria that can easily build up over a very short amount of time. If bacteria are left in the mouth and on the teeth for a full 24 hours, it can cause damage to the enamel of your teeth.

Brushing every 12 hours cuts that time in half and if you add a good antiseptic mouthwash and flossing to the mix you will get even better results. Also removing the bacteria will rid you of bad breath and that's always something to smile about.

2) Saliva Production

When you sleep you produce less saliva than when you are awake. What you may not realize is saliva adds an additional tier of defense against bacteria and plaque buildup that can lead to excess cavities. Brushing in the evening before bedtime helps remove bacteria and plaque in your mouth helping to eliminate any damage done by less saliva production.

Brushing your teeth in the morning gets rid of that morning breath by removing acid and bacteria that builds up overnight. Between brushing it is smart to keep your mouth hydrated by drinking lots of water throughout the day or at least chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free lozenges.

3) Prevent Tartar Buildup

If you don't brush your teeth thoroughly and often there is something called tartar that attaches itself to your teeth and doesn't want to let go. Your dental hygienist or dentist will have to literally scrape your teeth to remove it from the surface. If you don't get the tartar removed, over time it can lead to bleeding gums (gum disease) or periodontal disease, which can damage your overall health.

The one thing that can keep tartar at bay, and thus the gum diseases, is preventing the buildup by brushing your teeth at least two times a day. If you have a history of tartar buildup, then try a tartar control toothpaste and use tartar and plaque fighting mouthwashes. Your dentist can make a recommendation.

If you smoke or have diabetes you should take extra precautions as you are at a higher risk than the average person. This also holds true is you are a sufferer of dry mouth syndrome. Consult your dentist to get the best results from your home care.

4) Protect Gums

Just like in saliva production where bacteria can run rampant in your mouth, not brushing your gums can lead to a number of issues including periodontal disease, tooth sensitivity, tooth shifting, abscessed teeth, and even tooth loss. If you do not treat your gums well, they can come back to really affect your overall health.

While we think brushing and flossing teeth is about cleaning and polishing your smile, there are some serious issues that can happen in your mouth under the tartar, plaque and bacteria. Since it can be detrimental to your health, it is of the utmost importance you take care of protecting your gums along with your teeth.

If you are unable to control gum disease then treatments include plaque removal in the dentist office as well as prescription mouth rinses to kill bacteria. If the disease has progressed you may need a more invasive surgery.

5) Improved Overall Health

As more and more science comes in we are finding that oral health is linked to some pretty devastating diseases. Lack of good oral health practices can be linked to cardiovascular disease (heart disease), diabetes, osteoporosis, and premature or low birth weight babies.

A healthy bright smile says more about you than you might think. However, a healthy mouth that has been taken care of might be the difference between good overall health and some pretty nasty issues including bacteria from your mouth getting into your bloodstream.

Now you know that brushing your teeth twice a day can increase the odds in your favor that you will have good oral health including bright clean teeth and healthy pink gums. Check with your dentist and see if he or she agrees that brushing your teeth twice a day will give you a leg up on your health. Combine what you do at home with regular dental visits and cleanings and you are on your way to a happy and healthy lifestyle.

Brushing teeth twice a day can insure good oral health along with good dental prevention habits that include regular checkups at your local dentist office.



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