MAINTAINING A GOOD STANDING DENTAL HEALTH isn’t only about how much you brush – it’s also about how well you brush. When brushing our teeth, many of us make various blunders, either because we use the incorrect instruments or because we utilize the proper ones in the wrong way. Plus, the better you brush, the less you have to see a dentist for major issues!
1. Keeping A Toothbrush Too Long
When was the last time you replaced your toothbrush? Because broken, frayed bristles can’t perform as good a job of keeping your teeth clean, the American Dental Association suggests replacing your toothbrush at least three times a year.
2. Racing Through Your Brushing
The average time spent cleaning one’s teeth is 45 seconds, which is obviously significantly less than the suggested two minutes. If you’re having difficulties staying awake for two minutes, consider setting a timer or listening to music.
3. Brushing Too Hard
You might think that brushing harder will get your teeth cleaner, but all you need is light pressure to scrub away the residual food and bacteria. You risk harming your gum tissue if you brush more harder than that.
4. Using A Hard-Bristled Brush
Using a toothbrush with stiff bristles can cause more harm than benefit, especially to gum tissue, similar to brushing too hard. If you’re not sure what type of bristles your toothbrush should have, talk to us.
5. Brushing Immediately After Eating
A common mistake people make when they’re trying to take good care of their teeth is to immediately brush them after a meal. Acidic foods and drinks temporarily weaken our tooth enamel, and brushing right away can cause damage. This is why we should wait at least half an hour to brush so that our saliva has time to neutralize things.
6. Poor Toothbrush Storage
Do you have a stinky toothbrush? Do you keep it in a case where it can receive plenty of air or in a case where it never truly dries out? Bacteria thrive in moist settings, therefore the best way to keep our toothbrushes clean between uses is to store them upright and allow them to air dry.
7. Bad Brushing Technique
Even brushing for two full minutes twice a day with the best toothbrush with the perfect bristle firmness won’t do much for your teeth if your technique is off. Remember that you’re brushing to get plaque and food particles out of the gumline, so hold your brush at a 45° angle to the gums and gently sweep the bristles in small circular motions. Do this at least 15 times in each area of the mouth, on the tongue side and outside of the teeth, and don’t forget the chewing surfaces!
Come To Us With Your Tooth Brushing Questions
Give us a call if you want to learn more about proper brushing technique, toothbrush storage, or how to choose the best toothbrush for you! We want to make sure that all of our patients have the tools and information they need to maintain their teeth healthy for the rest of their lives!
