How Long Are You Supposed to Brush Your Teeth, Actually?

92% of American adults aged 20 to 64 have had cavities in their permanent teeth and 26% have untreated cavities. While this can sound like an annoying problem, there are steps you can take to prevent cavities from happening.

For example, you’ll hear dentists say you need to brush at least twice daily and floss too.

So maybe you haven’t been so diligent about brushing, and now you’re ready to step it up. How long are you supposed to brush your teeth though?

Read on to find out!

How Long Are You Supposed to Brush Your Teeth?

The general consensus is that it should take you 2 minutes to brush your teeth. That might sound like a short period, but try timing yourself the next time; you’d be surprised at just how long it can feel!

The fact is, many people don’t even come close to brushing for 1 minute, much less 2. So set a timer so you know how long to brush your teeth!

Is There Such a Thing as Brushing for Too Long?

You might think that the longer you brush your teeth, the better. After all, it’ll get rid of all the leftover food and bacteria, right?

Well, it turns out that brushing too long can wear away your enamel! This is the protective outer layer of your teeth that you can’t get back after losing it. Find out more by reading this dental cavities guide.

So be careful and don’t wear away your enamel prematurely!

How to Brush Your Teeth

In addition to brushing your teeth for the right amount of time, you need to also do it correctly.

The best way to clean your teeth is to use an electric toothbrush since it has better brushing power. Also, brushing too hard can wear away enamel too; these toothbrushes will light up if you’re pressing too hard, so that’s handy! They have 30-second timers too, so you’ll know when to move on to the next section.

When brushing, hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums. Use short strokes if you’re brushing manually; if you’re using an electric toothbrush, then press firmly and drag it across your teeth slowly.

Don’t forget to brush your tongue too! A lot of bacteria lives there, so giving it a brisk brush will remove it. This can help if you’re struggling with bad breath!

After you’re done, store your toothbrush upright and let it air-dry so bacteria doesn’t build up.

Keep Your Teeth Healthy

So how long are you supposed to brush your teeth? It should take only 2 minutes, and you shouldn’t go over that.

You might think you’re making your teeth extra clean, but in reality, you’re wearing away the enamel. This can actually lead to more cavities!

So keep these teeth brushing tips in mind to ensure your teeth are as healthy as possible.

Take a look at the rest of our blog page for more health and fitness articles.