How Many Times a Day Should a Person Brush his Teeth?

A proper brushing routine is the most important of any dental hygiene program. For best results, it's important not to simply brush your teeth, but also to brush it properly.

When it comes to how many times you need to brush your teeth, the verdict is almost unanimous. Brushing twice a day is ideal for optimum dental health. For best results, brush before your first meal of the day, as well as after your last meal of the day. Some people believe that brushing after every meal is important and we can't fault that thinking either. In fact, brushing after every meal is highly recommended for people who have tooth decay or are in a state of poor dental health. Besides, people who wear braces must preferably brush their teeth after every meal because of the food debris that tends to get stuck in between the braces.  
Brushing twice is a habit that must be inculcated right from the time a child uses the brush.  

Prepare you baby for a life time of daily brushing by wiping its teeth and gums with a soft moist cloth. You can also wash your hands thoroughly and use your finger to gently massage your baby’s gums. Once the child is two years old, buy him a children's tooth brush, and begin teaching him how to brush. In the beginning, a child may not be able to hold the brush properly, and so it’s so important to hold his head firm, and clean his teeth with the brush in your hand. You might have to continue helping your child brush while he holds it to at least till you child is 6 to 7 years old.

Even if your child insists that he can brush on his own, you may still need to supervise his brushing. Many children dislike brushing, and can try to rush through the process, missing out on important areas, like on chewing surfaces or in between teeth. Use only a soft toothbrush and a pea size amount of toothpaste. Toddlers who are more likely to swallow toothpaste must be given a non-fluoride toothpaste. That’s because fluoride, if ingested in excessive quantities, can actually cause the teeth to become black. Children get enough fluoride from their drinking water, and swallowing fluoride from their toothpaste can actually do more harm then good.  
As with any good thing, too much brushing can actually harm your teeth. Brushing after every meal may be fine, but avoid brushing more often than this. Brushing more than three times a day might actually harm your teeth by wearing down the enamel of the tooth. Besides the wrong way of brushing can also do more harm than good. Avoid brushing aggressively or using strong pressure. Use firm, but gentle strokes to clean the front of the teeth, chewing surfaces, as well as between the teeth.  Use a toothbrush with firm and gentle bristles.  Replace your toothbrush every three months, or whenever you see the bristles beginning to fan out.