How Often Should You Brush Your Teeth?

All of us have learned that brushing twice a day once when we wake up in the morning and another time just before going to bed is essential. The technique we use for cleaning, the type of brush we are using, and how often it is acceptable to brush has a history dating back many years.

Presently we are aware that brushing our teeth is essential for everything related to oral health, including caring for our gums and overall health. Trying to figure out how many times we should brush every day needs a look at the entire history and how often humans have brushed their teeth. Let us take a look at history going back before toothbrushes existed.

The Beginning

Humans have a long history of not brushing their teeth at all for thousands of years because our ancestors did not have any concept of dental care. Did they suffer as a result? No evidence is available to suggest our ancestors suffered from any dental problems. Is there a reason for their better dental health?

The kind of diet they were having perhaps had a role to play because they did not have access to fast foods or processed foods. They were not exposed to harmful additives or chemicals and relied on all-natural products by eating whatever they found.

Our ancestors were not deficient in minerals and vitamins like calcium and phosphorus that promote oral health. Their daily allowances were met by fruits and vegetables and the tough fibrous foods they had got their mouths moving and scraping their teeth, helping to prevent the buildup of plaque that is often the cause of tooth decay in the present day.

In 3000 BC, brushes were developed by Egyptians by splitting apart the ends of twigs and brushing with them and even splaying the ends to get between the teeth. They succeeded in removing food debris trapped between their teeth but couldn’t address problems like plaque and bad breath.

The Chinese picked up the idea that tooth brushing should include a toothbrush to begin the journey to modern oral hygiene. The method they used was primitive but led to the concept being developed in Europe in different ways to accomplish the task of brushing teeth.

The invention of the First Toothbrush

It wasn’t until the 1700s that the average individual began using toothbrushes regularly. It was a British individual who conjured up the idea in prison after being incarcerated for rioting. He drilled tiny holes in leftover animal bones and tied bristles into the holes to glue it together and could call it a brush. He established his company for manufacturing toothbrushes, and millions of households are presently using his invention.

How Often Should You Brush Every Day?

Earlier brushing the teeth once a day was considered sufficient. However, with foods containing sugars and processed chemicals becoming popular, the ADA presently recommends brushing twice a day for optimal dental health.

If you wish to keep your oral hygiene in optimal condition and research for advice from the dentist near me, you are likely to receive information that brushing correctly is more important than brushing several times during the day. The goal of cleaning should be to remove food particles and debris from between your teeth along with a plaque that consistently develops. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush is also a requirement that must be considered.

With the increasing lack of mineral nutrition in our diet and the rise of dense sugar foods, it isn’t surprising to find the dentist in Billerica, MA, recommending that people brush their teeth twice a day for at least two minutes at a time. Flossing is also a recommendation of dentists along with regular teeth cleanings every six months.

Brushing twice a day, flossing at least once, and visiting the dentist every six months may appear like an inconvenience but unless you intend to live in a cave and having the foods like our ancestors which is unlikely to happen you must either brush your teeth at least twice a day and follow the recommendations of your dentist. Attempting to adopt a strategy different from the suggestions of the dentist with the modern-day diet you are having will not prevent tooth decay from affecting your healthy smile.

It’s not how often but how well you brush your teeth that matters, and even the dentist near you can demonstrate proper brushing techniques to help you maintain optimal oral health.