How does brushing twice a day help keep your teeth healthy?

Brushing twice a day is one of the simplest habits for keeping your mouth healthy. Gezonde Mond, het Vlaams Instituut Mondgezondheid, put this basic habit back in the spotlight in 2026, with the message that brushing for two minutes already does a lot for a clean feeling and more self-confidence.

Still, “a quick brush” is not always the same as brushing well. The difference is often in small things: taking your time, using the right movement and also brushing along the gumline. It does not have to be complicated.

Why is brushing twice a day so important?

Plaque forms on your teeth every day. It is a soft layer of bacteria that sticks to the tooth surface. These bacteria use sugars from food and drinks and produce acids. Those acids can attack the enamel, the hard outer layer of the tooth.

If plaque stays in place for too long, tooth decay can develop. Tooth decay is also called caries and means that the tooth is damaged, often in the form of a cavity. Plaque can also irritate the gums.

Gum inflammation, or gingivitis, is inflammation of the gums. The gums may look red, swollen or feel sensitive. Sometimes they bleed when you brush. That bleeding is not a reason to avoid the area, because that is often exactly where plaque remains.

By brushing in the morning and in the evening, plaque is removed regularly. Brushing before going to sleep is especially important. At night, the mouth produces less saliva, and saliva normally helps neutralise acids and rinse away food remains.

How long should you brush for?

The general advice is two minutes each time you brush. That sounds short, but many people do not reach that time if they are not counting consciously. A timer, a small hourglass or the brushing timer on an electric toothbrush can help you keep the rhythm.

Divide the mouth into sections. Think of upper left, upper right, lower left and lower right. Give each section attention, on the outside, the inside and the chewing surfaces.

A hard toothbrush is not needed. Scrubbing too hard can irritate the gums and, over time, cause wear near the gumline, where the tooth meets the gum. A soft toothbrush and gentle movements are usually kinder to the mouth.

Which toothpaste is best to use?

A toothpaste with fluoride is the standard choice. Fluoride is a mineral that helps make enamel stronger against acid attacks. It is not a miracle cure, but it supports the daily protection of the teeth.

After brushing, there is no need to rinse strongly with lots of water. If you rinse a lot, you also rinse away some of the fluoride. Spitting out after brushing is usually enough.

For children, the amount of toothpaste depends on their age. Young children use less toothpaste than older children and adults. Parents are best to follow the advice they receive from Kind en Gezin, the dentist or an oral health professional.

Does an electric toothbrush brush better?

An electric toothbrush can help, especially because many devices have a timer and work with small movements. But a manual toothbrush can also clean well if the technique is right. The most important thing is that all tooth surfaces are reached.

With an electric toothbrush, the aim is not to scrub hard. The brush does the work. Place the brush head calmly on each tooth in turn, also along the gumline.

With a manual toothbrush, small, gentle movements help. Hold the brush at an angle towards the gums and work through the mouth systematically. That way, the edge where the tooth and gum meet is not forgotten.

What about the space between the teeth?

A toothbrush cannot reach everywhere between the teeth. Food remains and plaque can stay there. Cleaning between the teeth is called interdental cleaning, which simply means cleaning the space between two teeth.

This can be done with interdental brushes, small brushes for between the teeth, or with dental floss, a thin thread for cleaning tight spaces. What is easiest differs from mouth to mouth. In narrow spaces, dental floss may fit better. In slightly wider spaces, an interdental brush may work better.

Here too, there is no need to force anything. If something does not fit or hurts, a different size or a different method is often better. During preventive care, it can be discussed which aids generally suit your mouth situation.

How does a fixed routine help children and young people?

The start of the school year is often a good moment to set habits again. A fixed brushing routine fits in nicely with that. Brushing after breakfast and before going to sleep then becomes a normal part of the day, like preparing a school bag or putting the toothbrush ready.

For children, guidance remains important for a long time. They can already do a lot themselves, but they sometimes still miss spots at the back or along the gums. Brushing together or brushing again afterwards can help build the habit calmly.

For teenagers, soft drinks, energy drinks, snacks and busy days often play a bigger role. Sugar and acids increase the strain on the enamel. A good brushing routine does not solve everything, but it does provide a strong foundation.

When is brushing alone not enough?

Brushing is daily care, not a full check of the mouth. A dentist can also look at places you cannot see properly yourself. This includes early cavities, tartar or gum problems.

Tartar is hardened plaque that can no longer be removed with an ordinary toothbrush. It can form especially along the gumline. Professional cleaning is then needed to remove it safely.

A healthy mouth often starts very simply: brushing twice a day, for two minutes, with attention to all teeth. It is a small routine, but one that counts every day.