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The top 5 questions and answers about brushing your teeth

We all brush our teeth every day. Nobody doubts that daily oral care is very important for the health of our teeth and, in a broader sense, for our body. However, everyone has their own habits, also when it comes to brushing their teeth. When, how long and how often a day brushing your teeth is advisable are just some of the questions on which opinions differ. Also, whether it is better to use a normal manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush, many wonder. In this article, we answer the most common questions about brushing your teeth, such as when to brush your teeth, how often brushing your teeth is recommended, and whether there is such a thing as brushing your teeth for too long.

1. How often should I brush my teeth?

The general recommendation is to brush your teeth at least twice a day (in the morning and in the evening).  How often a day brushing your teeth is recommended also depends on what you have eaten. With a lot of sugary food, brushing your teeth more often may be advisable.

2. How long is it recommended to brush your teeth?

The recommended toothbrushing time is about 2 minutes. The system of brushing your teeth is crucial – ask your dentist about this.

3. When to brush my teeth?

In the morning, it is best to brush your teeth before breakfast. Acidic food (e.B citrus fruits) attacks tooth enamel; brush your teeth immediately after eating, scrub away the weakened tooth enamel as well.  Alternatively, you can wait half an hour after eating before brushing your teeth; in time, your saliva should have already neutralized the acids again. By the way, the same applies after the consumption of acidic foods in general (fruit juices, citrus fruits, lemonades, wine, etc.), regardless of the time of day.

In the evening, you should brush your teeth thoroughly before going to bed and thus after the last meal of the day. This prevents bacterial plaque from forming overnight, which damages your teeth.

4. Does the toothbrush make a difference?

The answer is yes. With an electric toothbrush, rotating-oscillating or a sonic toothbrush, plaque and thus bacteria can be eliminated more efficiently than with a conventional manual toothbrush. The Philips Protective Clean 4300 sonic toothbrush, for example, removes up to ten times more plaque than a manual toothbrush and helps you prevent tooth and gum disease.

In this article, you can read more about the differences between electrically rotating toothbrushes and sonic toothbrushes.

5. How often should I change my toothbrush?

If you use a manual toothbrush, you should change it about every two or a maximum of three months. If the bristles already look worn, then of course earlier.

For a rotating-oscillating toothbrush or a sonic toothbrush, you should change the brush head every three months. Based on their changed color, so-called indicator brushes show when it is time to change the brush head.

It is also important to clean your toothbrush regularly. Find out more here.

Toothbrush myths debunked

There are also different opinions on the subject of dental care. Here we have debunked the most famous toothbrush myths for you:

The firmer you scrub, the cleaner your teeth become. Wrong! If you press too hard when brushing your teeth, you damage tooth enamel and gums.

You should brush your teeth in circular movements. Wrong! If you use a manual toothbrush, you should 'vibrate' and sweep from top to bottom instead of brushing in circular motions.

You should brush your teeth right after eating. Wrong! As already mentioned, acids from food attack tooth enamel and immediate brushing after eating does more harm than good. Wait half an hour before brushing your teeth after eating.

Now you know about the most important questions about brushing your teeth. Do not take daily oral hygiene and care lightly and take good care of your teeth. Your smile (and your body) will thank you.