How often you should brush your teeth, according to a dentist

We all know brushing our teeth regularly between routine dental visits is a must for good oral hygiene. But do you actually know how often you're supposed to clean your teeth and for how long? The answer might surprise you, based on what we've been told our entire lives.

We spoke with a top-rated orthodontist to get a definitive answer so you can change your dental habits as needed. Keep reading to make sure you've got your brushing basics down pat.

How often (and how long) should you brush your teeth each day?

No surprises here: The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice a day for two minutes with a soft-bristle toothbrush. But pros say there's a bit more to the story.

"My personal recommendations as an orthodontist: Follow the recommendations of the ADA, with some additional supplements for optimum oral hygiene," said St. Louis-based orthodontist Dr. Erin Fraundorf. "For my patients, I recommend [they] brush minimally twice daily for two-plus minutes each time."

The key word there is minimally. Fraundorf adds that she suggests brushing a third or fourth time, "but never immediately after eating as it can cause enamel breakdown from the acidic oral environment formed during eating."

She also says that everyone should invest in an electric toothbrush for a more thorough cleaning as long as the bristles aren't too abrasive. "Always ensure it is a soft-bristle brush head, and change it at minimum every three months or more frequently if you're sick," she says.

Why is it important to brush for this long?

What we were taught as kids still applies: Failing to brush your teeth regularly leads to plaque buildup, which can cause complications that can make it much more difficult to maintain good oral hygiene.

"Brushing helps remove food particles, bacteria and plaque off of your teeth and other surfaces of your mouth," Fraundorf said. "Following eating, the bacteria in plaque consume food particles that it encounters and makes as a by-product of acid, which in turn breaks down tooth enamel and can lead to cavities."

She says that if this plaque isn't removed by brushing, it can combine with the minerals in your saliva and harden on your teeth, "turning into what we call calculus, or tartar." Once tartar forms on your teeth, it becomes harder to keep them clean and can lead to gum tissue inflammation and gum disease.

Is it possible to overbrush your teeth?

While maintaining a regular brushing routine is key, most people don't realize that it's actually possible to overdo it. Strike a balance.

"Overbrushing with excess force or frequency can lead to wearing away of gum tissue and enamel, which can lead to long-term tooth, gum and bone health and stability issues," Fraundorf says.

She adds that the easiest way to avoid both over- and underbrushing is by investing in an electric toothbrush with a built-in pressure sensor. Most brushes on the market have this feature.

"I love a toothbrush with a pressure sensor that lights up green when it's the perfect pressure and red when it's too hard," she said. "It eliminates the guesswork of determining how hard you should brush because there's no way to know until you see the consequences."