Brushing your teeth for the recommended two minutes a day may no longer be enough

Dentists began recommending two minutes as the standard brushing time back in the 1970s but new evidence suggests people should spend up to four minutes cleaning their teeth.

Dr Josefine Hirschfield, a lecturer in restorative dentistry at the University of Birmingham, said: "This longer brushing time means we can more effectively clean our teeth and get those hard-to-reach places."

The lecturer also suggested that people who brush their teeth after eating lunch could be doing the wrong thing as it is recommended that people should only brush twice per day.

Writing on The Conversation website, Dr Hirschfield warned: "But be careful not to brush too often and avoid brushing hard or using abrasive toothpaste and brushes, as this can also cause damage to our teeth and gums."

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