Brushing your teeth. From our youth, we are taught that brushing our teeth should be the last thing we do before bed and the first thing we do upon rising. Our parents enticed us with fun Barbie toothbrushes, or toothpaste tubes emblazoned with Spongebob and the gang. However, no matter how often our parents might have reminded us to brush in an attempt to form lifelong habits, we still forget to brush or downplay the importance of brushing at least twice a day. Just in case you had forgotten how important the upkeep of your pearly whites is to your overall health and well-being, let’s go over a quick refresher on why brushing twice a day is essential to your health and wellbeing.
Importance of good quality toothbrush
First and foremost, make sure to use a dentist recommended soft-bristled toothbrush with your toothpaste and brush vigorously for at least two minutes in order to reduce the buildup of plaque on your teeth. What is a plaque, you may ask? Well, not only is it the gross stuff that leaves your teeth feeling weird and like they are covered in a film, it’s also the harmful bacteria responsible for gum disease, cavities, tooth loss, and is even known for contributing to heart disease. Plaque weakens the teeth, producing an acid as it spreads throughout the mouth that strips the enamel from the tooth and increases the chances of infection.
Which Toothpaste are you using?
Secondly, any quality toothpaste will contain fluoride, a mineral which helps to strengthen the enamel in the teeth, preventing tooth decay and repairing any damage that occurs on the tooth’s surface. The mineral also makes the teeth more resistant to the acid by-product of the plaque bacteria and the acidity of the sugars and starches that are often found in our diet.
White Smile
Third, and often the reason people are most likely to brush their teeth, by cleaning those 32 teeth on a consistent basis, they have a much higher chance of remaining their natural white color instead of taking on the shade of that one wine stain on the rug. Do you need copious amounts of caffeine in the form of coffee throughout your day to help keep you energized? Well, this especially applies to you then, as coffee is one of the main culprits in dimming the brightness of your smile. Make sure to brush in the morning and evening (and even right after you’ve finished your beverage) to help ensure optimum teeth coloring. Pro tip: drinking through a straw prevents the drink from making as much contact with the teeth, helping to reduce the stains even further.
Personal Hygiene
Finally, brushing your teeth is of the utmost importance when it comes to personal hygiene. Do you worry that opening your mouth and breathing too heavily will swamp whoever is in close proximity to you with the overwhelming scent of whatever garlic-laden dish you dove into for dinner? By brushing your teeth, you remove the bits of food that cling to your teeth and produce that smell even after your meal. Chewing gum or popping a breath mint won’t cut it as a long-term solution either; both products are notorious for being sugar-laden, meaning that while they will mask the smell for a bit, they’ll eventually become a part of the problem. Make sure to brush all parts of your mouth, including its roof and your tongue (two places where bacteria often escapes our notice).
