Article

When Should You Brush Your Teeth?

Topic: Medical Advice and ResourcesPublished March 16, 2015
No ratings yet596 viewsSign in to rate

Do you like to brush your teeth? Now don’t give us the grown-up answer. Think about the process. If you really don’t like brushing that’s okay as long as you’re doing it regularly. Have you ever thought of a scenario where you’re not able to brush? Maybe you’ve gone camping and forgot your toothbrush and you’re miles from a store for a few days. We’re guessing that you’d be pining for your toothbrush after about 24 hours, especially if your spouse is there. We bring it up because we don’t want anyone to lose sight of some of the fundamental aspects of good dental health. In many ways we’re privileged just to be concerned about our teeth. We want to help you maintain your healthy teeth because, as you age, they will require more attention.

Have you ever thought about the best times to brush your teeth? Many of us do it right before we leave for work and then once again before bed. (That’s not a terrible routine: the ADA says twice per day is okay but three is optimal.) Many of us take the step of brushing after each meal or snack. This definitely helps get particles and bacteria out of our mouths but there’s another side to this routine: it may be causing damage. If you’ve had a meal or a snack that includes a sugary or acidic food or drink, then your teeth will be under attack from those bacteria. If you brush right away you may actually damage the enamel. Most recommendations suggest waiting 30 minutes to brush or brushing before enjoying sugary or acidic food.

If you do choose to brush around meals you should continue to brush in the morning and evening as well. It’s important at night to get the day’s food particles out so they won’t promote decay while you sleep. In the morning there will likely be bacteria developed that you should brush away right away. Both the morning and evening sessions are crucial to eliminating bad breath!

Of course, your brushing technique, your diet, the age of your toothbrush, whether or not you floss will all influence the outcome from your brushing. Your dentist can tell you what will work best for you specifically and they may be able to suggest some special tools to help your teeth last a lifetime. You can find more articles about your dental health here: https://www.dentaloptimizer.com/dental-articles-education/

Further reading

Further Reading

4 total

Article

A Growing Challenge in Diabetes Care Across the country, millions of people living with diabetes rely on test strips and other supplies to monitor their health. These items are essential, but they often accumulate in households for various reasons. Sometimes prescriptions change, sometimes people switch to different brands, and sometimes supplies arrive in larger quantities than needed. What was once a lifeline can quickly become a drawer full of unused materials. The Problem

February 17, 2026

Article

Long clinic days often spill into late nights, leaving physicians buried under hours of unfinished documentation. Instead of focusing on patients, much of your time disappears into typing, charting, and catching up on notes. It’s no surprise that administrative overload has become one of the biggest drivers of physician burnout today. This is where AI medical scribes come in. By automating clinical documentation in real time, they give healthcare providers the freedom to fo

September 9, 2025

Article

If you’re scheduled for your first root canal treatment, you might be feeling a mix of anxiety and relief. Anxiety about what to expect during the procedure, and relief that you’re on your way to alleviating discomfort caused by a tooth infection or decay. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you understand the root canal process, what you can expect, and how best to prepare for it. Understanding Root Canal TreatmentrnA root canal is a dental procedure designed to clear

February 21, 2025

Article

The role of an anesthesiologist is critical in modern medicine, serving as the guardian of patient safety during surgical procedures. With this immense responsibility comes the necessity of having robust malpractice insurance . For anesthesiologists, the implications of malpractice claims can be profound, making understanding the associated costs and benefits of malpractice insurance essential. Understanding Malpractice Insurance Malpractice insurance is a specific type of pr

February 7, 2025