09/25/2019
How you brush makes a big difference.
The mechanical act of brushing removes the very sticky dental plaque – a mixture of bacteria, their acids and sticky byproducts and food remnants.
It forms naturally on teeth immediately after you've eaten but doesn't get nasty and start to cause damage to the teeth until it reaches a certain stage of maturity.
The exact amount of time this takes isn't known but is at least more than 12 hours. Bacteria consume sugar and, as a byproduct, produces acids that dissolve minerals out of the teeth, leaving microscopic holes we can't see. If the process isn't stopped and they aren't repaired, these can become big, visible cavities. Taking two minutes to brush your teeth is a good target for removing plaque and you should brush at night and one other time daily. Brushing frequently stops the bacteria developing to a stage where the species which produce the most acid can become established. Electric toothbrushes can be more effective than manual brushing and a small toothbrush head helps to reach awkward areas in the mouth, while medium-textured bristles help you clean effectively without causing harm to gums and teeth. The main thing, however, is to get brushing!
