Why You Should Never Brush Your Teeth More Than Twice a Day

Feel the need to brush your teeth after every sweet indulgence or other meals?

Cleaning your teeth frequently throughout the day can't be a bad thing, right? Wrong.

"Overbrushing does not give you a healthier mouth. In fact, it could actually cause irreversible damage to your teeth and gums," Dr. Daniel Rubinshtein, a cosmetic dentist based in New York, told Newsweek.

Dr. Venus Patti, a dentist at Limelight Dental in Mississauga, Canada, told Newsweek that "those who brush properly for at least two minutes twice a day won't see a lot of additional benefits from toothbrushing more than that."

Of course, this doesn't mean you can get away with being less diligent about taking care of your teeth. Oral health is actually especially important as we get older.

An August 2021 study published in Scientific Reports found that "poor oral health is associated with mortality" and "preventing [the] deterioration of oral health in older age can be crucial for survival."

The study found that periodontal disease (gum disease) was associated with increased cardiovascular mortality, while tooth loss and the accumulation of oral problems were associated with high respiratory mortality.

Here, dentists unpack one of the most basic forms of oral health care—brushing your teeth—including why you shouldn't do it too frequently.

Don't Brush Your Teeth More Than Twice a Day

"It's not about the quantity of brushing your teeth, it's the quality. I recommend brushing no more than two times a day," said Rubinshtein.

Dr. Fatima Khan, a dentist based in Texas, told Newsweek that "overbrushing and aggressively brushing" your teeth can lead to the following.

Dental Abrasion

Dental abrasion sees progressive damage to the surface of your teeth from an external force lead to loss of tooth enamel. Over time, the pressure can wear down the surface of your teeth, which can result in dental sensitivity and thinning of the enamel, explained Khan, who is the co-founder of Riven oral care, a probiotic-based mouthwash.

Gingival Recession

"Imagine your gums slowly pulling away and exposing your roots," Khan said. This condition can make your teeth appear longer and the color of the roots may be slightly darker.

"This can alter the aesthetic of your smile and cause discomfort when consuming hot or cold items," she added.

When Should I Brush My Teeth?

"Consistency is key when it comes to brushing. Make sure to always brush two times a day—morning and night," said Rubinshtein.

Khan advises brushing your teeth first thing in the morning as "there is an exponential growth of bacteria that accumulates in your mouth overnight."

Brushing as soon as you wake up removes bacteria and the fluoride or hydroxyapatite in your toothpaste can protect your teeth from the acids in your breakfast. Brushing increases saliva production and that will continue to remineralize your teeth, Khan said.

Should I Brush My Teeth After Meals?

Khan advised waiting 30 minutes to an hour after eating if you decide to brush your teeth following a meal, especially if you're consuming acidic foods and drinks.

"If you brush right after eating, it can be detrimental to your enamel because acids in our mouth weaken the enamel and brushing too quickly can remove enamel," she said.

Rubinshtein agreed noting: "I advise patients to not brush right after you eat or drink coffee, as your mouth is in an acidic state, which makes it more prone to removing the layers of the enamel."

Before breakfast and before bedtime are the ideal times to brush your teeth, he said.

How to Brush Your Teeth

The best way to brush your teeth is using "gentle circular motions, focusing on the bristles brushing food and plaque out from our gums," explained Rubinshtein.

Electric toothbrushes are helpful as they give users cues (either a flashing light or reducing the motors speed) when you're applying too much pressure, he said.

However, "a regular tooth brush can be just as good as long as the user is proficient at brushing."

Khan said it boils down to preference, as both electronic and manual toothbrushes are effective for plaque removal.

Generally, you may get better results with an electric toothbrush because it does the motions for you, made with an oscillating, rotating and pulsating technology as well as a two-minute timer, she said.

However, some may prefer traditional toothbrushes because it gives them "a tactile feel of cleaning," in addition to being a lot cheaper than electric toothbrushes, Khan noted.

Do you have a health-related question? Let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.