You should brush your teeth twice a day, ideally:

• Once in the morning after waking up and before breakfast to remove bacteria that built up overnight and to protect your teeth from acids in breakfast foods.
• Once at night before going to bed to remove food debris and plaque from the day.

It is recommended to brush for about two minutes each time using fluoride toothpaste and a toothbrush with soft bristles. If you prefer brushing after breakfast, wait at least 30 to 60 minutes before brushing because immediately brushing after eating, especially acidic foods or drinks (like citrus fruits, orange juice, or coffee), can damage your tooth enamel which is temporarily softened by acids. Waiting allows your saliva to neutralize the acids and harden the enamel again. Brushing before breakfast helps remove overnight bacteria and coats your teeth with fluoride for protection during your meal. Brushing at night is important to keep your mouth clean during sleep when saliva flow is reduced. In summary:

• Brush twice daily for 2 minutes.
• Brush before breakfast or wait 30-60 minutes after eating before brushing.
• Brush last thing before bed.
• Use fluoride toothpaste and replace your toothbrush every 3 months.

This routine helps reduce plaque, fight bacteria, protect enamel, and maintain oral health.