How often do you brush your teeth?

[SaidThePinkToothbrush]

Inspired by another thread, and nc'd because I suspect I will be called a filth monger.

I usually only brush mine in the morning If I've eaten fish I'll brush after that and chew gum, or if I've eaten something particularly oniony during the day then I will brush at night, but other than that, I just leave it to the morning time. I sometimes use mouthwash and occasionally floss or use a water flosser.

I go for my checkup and clean once a year and the dentist always says how healthy my teeth are. It baffles DH because he brushes at least twice a day and his teeth are not as strong as mine (though I know genetics plays a huge role in this).

I just don't see the point in brushing at night, though I suspect some of you will now enlighten me and tell me that all my teeth will fall out imminently because of my slovenly ways. Who knows, you may even convert me!

Am I the only one?

(sorry if I've made anyone feel ill)

Twice a day - morning and night. And again if I am going out in the evening. Your genes will only carry you so far

Every time I eat! As I have Invisalign.

Before Invisalign....2/3 times a day. Good dental hygiene very important to me.

@Ifyoulikepinacolidas mostly kids ones! Check for fluoride content
Tesco strawberry ice cream
Minions bubbleMint
Sainsbury's berry kids

Same as you . Once in the morning. I’ve only got 2 fillings. Never need a scale and polish either as my dentist says my teeth don’t need it

I know a few people that only brush in the morning, but they all have amazing teeth. They drink tea and coffee as well. I am SO JEALOUS. I really think it comes down to genetics and unless your diet is really bad, brushing once a day seems to be ok for those that are genetically blessed. Honestly it's so unfair haha.

Twice a day. Sometimes three times depending on what I've eaten.

NHS advice on mouthwash

Should I use mouthwash?

Using a mouthwash that contains fluoride can help prevent tooth decay,butdon't use mouthwash(even a fluoride one)straightafter brushing your teeth or it'll wash away the concentrated fluoride in thetoothpaste left on your teeth

Choose adifferent time to use mouthwash, such asafter lunch.

Don't eat or drink for 30 minutes after using a fluoride mouthwash.

After breakfast, after lunch, after tea and before bed. I am paranoid about having smelly breath. Never needed a filling though!

There’s a difference between brushing your teeth and actually cleaning your teeth! Lots of people brush regularly, but not very well. (I’m a dentist, I see lots of mouths and teeth!) If you’re only going to brush once, then make it before bed. One very thorough clean per day (in the evening, and including flossing/interdental brushing) is better than a rush job twice a day leaving plaque in the spaces between your teeth. But obviously a morning clean as well is preferable!

2/3 a day as well as flossing but hardly ever with paste. Can cope with foaming etc

How do people clean their teeth in just two minutes? I used to take about 20 mins to do mine with a manual toothbrush. I have an electric one now and the quickest I can do them is about 4 minutes. I always get told off at the dentist for brushing too hard. I have caused my gums to recede due to overbrushing. I have been warned that one in particular will snap off if I keep going at it. I just can't do it in two minutes though, my teeth don't taste clean! I start at the top left hand side and go once over the bottom side, then back across the gum line. Do this for all 4 sides (Toothbrush head, Oral B I think? is not big enough to cover the whole of a tooth so have to go over twice.) Then I do the top surface, and inside surface the same as The outside (Going over twice.). I do behind my teeth at the front also. I then swap to a smaller toothbrush and brush at the very back of my teeth, and in between two spaces where I've had teeth removed. The four minutes is just for the OralB brushing. Would love to hear how other do theirs and maybe pick up some tips?

*Can't

How come it takes you so long 73kittycat? I'm not surprised your gums are suffering.

They just don't feel clean otherwise Ginfordinner. I can taste them, or feel roughness/plaque on my teeth.

2 minutes is what my dentist recommends, no more. Floss and two minute teeth clean is sufficient.

Can’t get my head around 20 mins. I’m surprised your gums aren’t shredded.

I used to do each tooth individually with the manual brush. I'm so careful as I used to have such a dental phobia that during my teens I couldn't even put a toothbrush in my mouth. I would only eat soft foods so I wouldn't crack a tooth or lose a filling. I'm a lot better than I was, and have brushed my teeth for decades now.
I just can't do it in 2 minutes. My mouth does not feel clean. I don't have the time in two minutes to do all my teeth! Perhaps others could share how they brush theirs to show me the right way?

Twice a day, morning & night.
If I'm going out, I may brush my teeth before going out just in case I forget when I get in!

Do you floss Kitty? That helps with feeling clean imo, I use the little flossing handles, really makes a difference to me.

Hi NoSauce. I don't floss regularly no. I can floss the front teeth, but am still a bit phobic about the molars. I have lots of fillings and my teeth are tightly packed. I panic that I'll pull a filling out!

Flossing would definitely help you to feel cleaner Kitty. I know what you mean about worrying you’ll pull a filling out, next time you’re at the dentist ask about flossing and which method is best for your teeth, they will give you a demo, I’m sure.

There’s quite a few different methods of flossing to suit different people/teeth, I use the flossing handles, I can reach the back better than the tape. My husband uses the interdental sticks and prefers them.

I would definitely start doing it though, you’ll see and feel a difference to how clean your teeth are pretty quickly. Flossing lecture over and out

Three times a day.

If I’m at home, about 6 times per day, if I’m out all day, maybe just 4 times. My dentist told me it’s too much and I risk wearing away the enamel, but I like to feel minty fresh. I change toothbrushes almost every week as they get destroyed. Yes, I know it’s too much, you don’t need to tell me, but it’s a hard habit to break. I do have very white teeth though!

Always once a day (morning), often, but not always, twice. Nearly 50, and no fillings.

Funnily enough, I went to the dentist today, and she was very clear that eating/drinking habits are far more influential on dental health than brushing habits. So someone who regularly snacks on sugary foods or sips at sugary drinks, but brushes 3 times a day is likely to have worse teeth than someone who doesn't snack and doesn't sip at sugary drinks, even if they only brush once a day or even just a few times a week. Looking at my family, and who has the fillings, that rings true for me.

How anyone can not see the importance of brushing their teeth at night astounds me, its pretty obvious why you need to, well obvious if you have a brain.

2-3 times a day and always using mouthwash and gum around that , I'm very particular about oral hygiene.

My OH is awful , will brush twice a day only when I moan about him getting into bed without doing so and doesn't brush for anywhere near as long as you should , chomps on hard sugary sweets all day long and I avoid them like the plague.

The kicker? He has the whitest, straightest most beautiful teeth you've ever seen and I have horrible teeth (currently saving for lots of cosmetic dental work) but it's not fair