Optimal number of times of brushing teeth?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the optimal frequency of tooth brushing, exploring various personal habits, opinions on dental health, and the impact of diet on oral hygiene. Participants share their routines and beliefs about the necessity and timing of brushing teeth, as well as considerations for pets.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest brushing twice a day, typically in the morning and before bed, as a common practice.
  • Others argue that brushing frequency may depend on individual diet, with one participant proposing that those with less sugar intake might only need to brush once a day.
  • A few participants mention brushing after each meal, indicating a preference for maintaining oral hygiene immediately after eating.
  • Concerns are raised about over-brushing potentially harming gums, as noted by one participant referencing a dentist's advice.
  • Some participants express a more casual approach, brushing only when they remember or feel the need, suggesting that their dental health has not suffered as a result.
  • There are humorous exchanges about pet dental care, with participants discussing the brushing habits of their pets and the effectiveness of alternative dental care methods like bones for dogs.
  • One participant notes a lack of options in a poll regarding brushing frequency, specifically mentioning the absence of an option for brushing zero times a day.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the optimal number of times to brush teeth, with multiple competing views on frequency and necessity remaining throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some claims about dental health are based on personal experiences and anecdotal evidence, with no formal consensus on the implications of brushing frequency or the necessity of brushing for pets.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in dental hygiene practices, pet care, or those curious about varying cultural perspectives on oral health may find this discussion relevant.

Brush teeth how many times per day is optimal?

  • 1

    Votes: 2 9.1%

  • 2

    Votes: 14 63.6%

  • 3

    Votes: 3 13.6%

  • 4

    Votes: 1 4.5%

  • 5

    Votes: 1 4.5%

  • 6+

    Votes: 1 4.5%
  • Total voters
    22
tgt
Messages
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How many times per day for optimal number? And when to do it each day? Why? Assume convenience is equal for all options.
 
Last edited:
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If you brush too much, you can brush away your gums. At least that's what a dentist told me a while ago. I'd think it also depends on your diet. Without lots of soda and sugar in your diet I'd think 1/day would be sufficient?
 
Twice I'd say. Once in the morning, one just before bedtime. Doing it just before bedtime greatly diminishes the urge to snack at midnight.
 
I brush 2 times, morning and night, and floss every morning too.
 
Most people brush twice. I'm lazy and only brush once or when I remember. My teeth are fine and I have no fillings or any other major dental work. I could just be blessed with very strong teeth.
 
Best is right after you eat.

I don't follow that, though. I only brush twice a day and floss once a day.
 
I've seen people who bring their tootbrush to work and brush in the bathroom, after lunch. I only brush 2 times a day.
 
Twice for me, unless I'm really tired or don't feel like it. I floss after I eat food that gets stuck in my teeth.
 
I voted for 6+. Once after each meal.
 
  • #10
I just noticed there's a slight problem with your poll. There's no option for 0.

God Bless You, Mr Rosewater.
 
  • #11
BobG said:
I just noticed there's a slight problem with your poll. There's no option for 0.

That's because I've witnessed someone who brushed 0 times a day for a month or so and ended up getting a large cavity and tooth ache so it can't be optimal.
 
  • #12
Ahh just ignore your teeth and they will go away.
 
  • #13
tgt said:
That's because I've witnessed someone who brushed 0 times a day for a month or so and ended up getting a large cavity and tooth ache so it can't be optimal.

Psshh! My cats have never brushed their teeth and I haven't seen any problem with them. And don't tell me that doesn't apply to PF members. I've actually seen photos of Moonbear's cat reading PF posts. I can't find any posts by her, though. I think her username is Ember, but I might be wrong.

I do brush my dog's teeth, but only once a day.
 
  • #14
BobG said:
Psshh! My cats have never brushed their teeth and I haven't seen any problem with them. And don't tell me that doesn't apply to PF members. I've actually seen photos of Moonbear's cat reading PF posts. I can't find any posts by her, though. I think her username is Ember, but I might be wrong.


Evo's cat, Dr. Foofer has an account here and used to post. I don't think he brushes or flosses.
I do brush my dog's teeth, but only once a day.


Your dog has her own toothbrush, right? :rolleyes:
 
  • #15
Kurdt said:
I'm lazy and only brush once or when I remember.



How often do you remember?? At least once a week I pray!
 
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  • #16
DaveC426913 said:
How often do you remember?? At least once a week??

Normally when I'm in bed and I feel my teeth are furry. Then I think "I really should brush them".
 
  • #17
Math Is Hard said:
Evo's cat, Dr. Foofer has an account here and used to post. I don't think he brushes or flosses.



Your dog has her own toothbrush, right? :rolleyes:

Of course! And her own toothpaste. I keep hoping my son will steal hers by mistake when he runs out. Usually he let's me know he's out of toothpaste by stealing mine.
 
  • #18
I brush after each meal and before kissing...:blushing:
 
  • #19
larkspur said:
I brush after each meal and before kissing...:blushing:

Imagine her poor bf...

20 minutes after eating, he finds himself starting to pucker and doesn't know why.
 
  • #20
larkspur said:
I brush after each meal and before kissing...:blushing:

Are you sure that even after you brush your teeth and enter 'kissing', some time later it smells better still ? :smile:
 
  • #21
Twice a day for me. I just use an electric toothbrush. Feels so good on my teeth and noticeable differences.
 
  • #22
I only brush my teeth whenever I remember to do so.
But I almost forget it during the day until bedtime.
 
  • #23
DaveC426913 said:
Imagine her poor bf...

20 minutes after eating, he finds himself starting to pucker and doesn't know why.

:smile::smile::smile:
 
  • #24
BobG said:
Psshh! My cats have never brushed their teeth and I haven't seen any problem with them. And don't tell me that doesn't apply to PF members. I've actually seen photos of Moonbear's cat reading PF posts. I can't find any posts by her, though. I think her username is Ember, but I might be wrong.

Ember gets her teeth brushed, but I forget a lot. I aim for once a week, but usually it's more like once every two weeks or once a month. :frown:
 
  • #25
wow, you Americans are obsessed with brushing. We buy bones for our dogs and cats just look after themselves.
 
  • #26
Kurdt said:
wow, you Americans are obsessed with brushing. We buy bones for our dogs and cats just look after themselves.

She gets crunchy food, which is why she doesn't need brushing very often. But, have you ever looked into the mouth of an older dog or cat? They do need brushing. Bones just don't quite cut it. A lot of what "dog breath" is is bad teeth and gum disease. You'll notice that young dogs with healthy teeth don't have that smell.

They don't really need the insides of the teeth brushed, but the outside, where their tongue doesn't rub their teeth clean does need brushing. They make enzyme toothpastes in cat and dog friendly flavors (like chicken, malt, etc) that you can use. Even if you don't accomplish a lot of brushing on an uncooperative cat or dog, the enzymes will help clean their teeth just by getting the toothpaste in their mouth (it's all swallowable, not like human toothpaste that you need to spit out).
 
  • #27
Weird. Our last dog Emma never had hers brushed and they were perfectly white up until the day she died. People used to comment on how white her teeth were. She didn't really have dog breath either. Suppose it helps if you don't feed them any human sugary crap.
 
  • #28
Kurdt said:
wow, you Americans are obsessed with brushing. We buy bones for our dogs and cats just look after themselves.

Nonsense. Total nonsense. You should familiarize yourself with a more diverse set of cultural experiences before you draw such conclusions: http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~thompsoc/Body.html
 
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