Why do I need to brush my teeth?

Brush teeth because sticky food stays there. Tiny germs eat it. They can make teeth hurt. The brush sweeps the yuck away. Your mouth feels fresh.

You need to brush your teeth because bits of food and tiny germs stick to them after you eat. The brush and toothpaste scrub them away, like washing mud off your hands. If the sticky stuff stays too long, it can make holes in teeth and make your breath smell bad. Brushing helps teeth stay strong and clean.

You need to brush your teeth because tiny germs live in your mouth. After you eat, they feed on sugar and bits of food. They make a sticky film called plaque, and plaque can make acid. Acid can hurt the hard outside of your teeth, called enamel, and make holes called cavities. Brushing with toothpaste sweeps away plaque and helps keep your breath fresh. Fun fact: enamel is the hardest part of your whole body!