Brushing after every meal, good or bad?

[ArchWired28]

I have been brushing after every meal since I got braces. I am very scared of the white spots on teeth, and it is just gross to walk with food remainders stuck in brackets. Every time I get anything food, I have to brush which brings it to 4-5 brushings a day on average.

However, I am not sure whether it is worthwile to keep the same intense brushing schedule after my braces are removed. Can it do enamel and/or gum damage in a long run? Any ideas?

[auco99]

I don't brush as often as I should. I brush after breakfast and before bed. I brush before I go out to dinner too, but that's about it. At first I was brushing after lunch, but that didn't last long. I am hopeful that my regular rinsing with flouride mouthwash will prevent the white spots (calcium deposits?).

[ArchWired28]

The thing is, I am not even sure brushing that often is required for white spots' prevention. I asked the orthodontic assistant, she said "what you are doing is great, continue". But I am concerned that frequent brushing might damage enamel and/or gums. But perhaps nobody knows

[Toasty79]

I am no expert on this, and before braces I only brushed morning and night but here's what I've been doing. I brush thoroughly in the morning and before bed. Then through the day I do 2-3 more gentle brushes, using a soft brush for sensitive teeth and not applying too much pressure. I do it after food, but I leave it at least half an hour after eating, as I've heard you shouldn't do it straight away due to enamel being weakened by food acids. This way I get to freshen up and remove any stuck food but I don't *think* I'm being too harsh on my teeth.

[ArchWired28]

Toasty79
are you going to continue this practice after your braces come off?

[elainek]

I do exactly the same as Toasty and I'm probably going to keep it up after I get them off...my teeth just feel gross after eating anything.

I think as long as you're not being too rough on your gums then your teeth should be fine...enamel is the hardest material in the body so it takes a lot to damage it. That said - its probably a question for your dentist too!

[Toasty79]

Toasty79
are you going to continue this practice after your braces come off?

I think so. As a child I was only ever taught to brush my teeth before bed, and once these habits are ingrained it's surprisingly hard to overcome them - it wasn't until my twenties I started making myself do it in the morning too but having braces, I am really aware of food residues and so it's been good for getting me into the habit of doing it more often. Also, once I have the braces off I'm having whitening and composite bonding so after all that I'm quite determined to try and keep them nice! I think a gentle going-over with a soft brush a few times a day can't do any harm, right?

[ArchWired28]

I would like to know that too. I was browsing the internet the other day and found pictures of receded gums and worn enamel due to the "over-diligent" flossing and brushing (or so they said). While over-diligent flossing is not among my concerns at all over-diligent brushing may be. So I am trying to figure out what "over-diligent" is. But this may be dependent on one's personal enamel and gums too, and the definition of "light" brushing. I know I cannot brush light, even if I want to. So I guess I will try to cease the practice of brushing after every meal when my braces are removed. Although I have already used to that clean feeling, and it keeps me from snacking too.

[illay]

it's too exaggerate.
I only brush twice a day. Once after i have my breakfast and once before i go to bed.
After eating, i always use interdental brush to move away the leftover food .

[FFWM]

[quote="ArchWired28"]I would like to know that too. I was browsing the internet the other day and found pictures of receded gums and worn enamel due to the "over-diligent" flossing and brushing (or so they said). While over-diligent flossing is not among my concerns at all :-* over-diligent brushing may be. So I am trying to figure out what "over-diligent" is. But this may be dependent on one's personal enamel and gums too, and the definition of "light" brushing. I know I cannot brush light, even if I want to. So I guess I will try to cease the practice of brushing after every meal when my braces are removed. Although I have already used to that clean feeling, and it keeps me from snacking too.[/quote]

As far as the internet goes everything you see on it should be taken with a grain of salt. First of all, it may not be true at all, as you have rightfully stated: "or so they said". Secondly on the internet you tend to see extreme cases- the person in question who damaged their teeth and gums from over diligent brushing and flossing may have had a disorder of some sort and they may have spent hours a day brushing and flossing their teeth- which is beyond any reason and could certainly lead to damage.

I dont think that brushing 4-5 times a day is overkill but rather id say that is diligent but in a very positive way. Brushing in the morning after breakfeast, after lunch, after dinner and before bed is a good routine and pretty ideal for oral hygiene as many dentists do recommend brushing after every meal or 2-4 times a day.

Furthermore if your dentist tells you that you are doing a good job caring for your teeth I dont think there is a reason to change your routine or worry about it IMO.

[starfish88]

It might be one to ask a dentist. My mum was warned she was brushing too hard and it was causing wear but that was pressure rather than how often. Also you can't scrub too hard with most electric brushes because they stop you anyway so I can't see a problem. Would love to know what dentists think about this! Personally I imagine I'll be lazy and go back to twice a day after debonding and once I'm though full time retainers.