Can you only brush your teeth once a day?

Brushing your teeth is a necessary hygiene reflex, but not necessarily addictive. Due to lack of time or desire, some do not want to exercise; especially with an alarm failure that requires you to leave the area as quickly as possible to go to work, or an early evening return that sends you to bed as a priority and not to your bathroom. . In practice, the French Society of Oral Health recommends brushing your teeth twice a day. But does it really matter that much? Can we be satisfied with just one brush stroke?

Accelerator for pathogenic bacteria

When we ask microbiology researcher and dental surgeon Elodie Terer, her answer is clear. Inadequate brushing exposes us to more pathogenic bacteria. As the health professional points out, the purpose of brushing is actually based on the removal of plaque and tartar, both of which are responsible for the accumulation of good or bad bacteria in the mouth.

However, ignoring this reflex of morning hygiene means that bacteria multiply throughout the day, feeding on nutrients from our food, recalls Elodie Terer. And if, on the contrary, we prefer to ignore the toothpaste in the evening, the effect is twofold, because the flow of saliva, this self-cleaning function of our mouth, works slowly during sleep.

From there, a vicious cycle begins. If bacteria accumulates, we experience an imbalance in the oral microbiota, which will weaken the enamel, the well-known protective barrier of the teeth, then lead to inflammation of the mucosa and promote the formation of cavities. “This phenomenon ultimately leads to the development of periodontal diseases such as gingivitis or periodontitis (teething, editor’s note), and the infection can spread to the rest of the body, the dentist summarizes. It is for this reason that people prone to diabetes or cardiovascular disorders should monitor their dental hygiene, as a dental infection can worsen their pathology.

The enemy of white breath and teeth

Another disadvantage is scaring the table neighbors. “Accumulating and interacting with each other, some bacteria release an unpleasant odor – methane or sulfur, which causes bad breath,” explains Elodie Terer. And some individuals are more susceptible to it because, depending on their physiology, their salivary ducts may become blocked more than others due to plaque and tartar.

Apart from the smell, the color of the teeth can also be affected by drinks such as coffee, tea or even the use of tobacco. Consequently, this sediment then contributes to increased bacterial load and its deleterious effects.

No more than three times a day

For optimal brushing, twice a day, the specialist recommends using a soft brush, either by hand or electric, with fluoridated toothpaste to mineralize the enamel. We then brush the entire mouth (including the gums) for at least 2 minutes and finish the procedure using dental floss or an interdental brush to remove both food debris and plaque. “Ideally, we brush our teeth after eating, especially in the evening, so that bacteria do not feed on leftovers in our mouths and multiply,” says Dr. Elodie Terer.

Be careful though, the best is the enemy of the good. The dentist recommends not to brush your teeth more than three times a day. “Mechanical and excessive toothbrushing can be counterproductive and irritate the oral cavity to the point of sensitizing the gums and altering the enamel surface,” he explains. You have been warned.