Brushing in the morning and at night will help reduce cavities and gum disease, but that alone is not enough, according to the latest issue of General Dentistry.

Germ-killing mouth rinse combined with tooth-brushing better reduces plaque.

In a six month study, people who used both mouthwash and a toothbrush had a 26 percent reduction in plaque and a 20 percent reduction in gum disease compared to those who brushed alone.

Dentists say the combination approach also extended the time people cared for their teeth since most people only brushed for less than one minute.