Should you really brush for two minutes, twice a day? We spoke to dentists and hygienists to learn why brushing your teeth is ...

But Dr. Ravanbakhsh advises against this as it can make the toothpaste less effective. “Once you have finished brushing your teeth, you should spit out any residual toothpaste,” he said.

They recommend brushing at least twice a day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste to help prevent cavities. And they say skipping the rinse after brushing allows the fluoride to stay on the teeth ...

And yes, you need both brushing and flossing to get your teeth totally clean, said Dr. Rocio B. Quinonez, associate dean for curriculum at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Adams ...