ARE YOU MAKING THESE BRUSHING MISTAKES?

Good dental hygiene can be essential for preventing the need for treatments like root canals, veneers, and gum disease therapy. For this reason, dentists in Belmont emphasize the importance of teeth brushing to their patients. However, this practice should be done properly if you want to gain the most benefit. Continue reading to learn about common brushing mistakes.

Brushing Your Teeth Aggressively

A common error that people make is brushing their teeth too hard. One of the primary reasons that your dentist tells you to brush your teeth twice per day is to prevent plaque from building up and hardening into tartar. Gently brushing your teeth for a full 2 minutes twice per day allows you to keep plaque under control by scrubbing it away while it is loose and soft. It’s important to avoid brushing your teeth too aggressively because doing so can affect your tooth enamel and promote gum recession.

Using the Wrong Toothbrush

If you’re like many people, then you may feel overwhelmed by the number of toothbrush options available. Luckily, finding a good toothbrush isn’t complicated if you know what to look for. Dentists recommend that patients use a toothbrush that feels comfortable to hold, has soft bristles, and that allows them to brush hard-to-reach areas of their teeth. Soft bristles are ideal because they can do a better job of cleaning your teeth and are less likely to damage tooth enamel than medium or hard bristles. Also, remember not to use the same toothbrush for too long. It is best to switch to a new toothbrush every 3 to 4 months.

Brushing with Bad Technique

Using the right brush to clean your teeth for 2 minutes twice every day is the foundation of good teeth brushing. However, it’s also important to brush your teeth with gentle, circular motions, rather than ones that go back and forth from left to right. Lastly, do not forget to brush gently along the gum line and while holding the brush at a 45-degree angle to reach plaque, food, and bacteria that accumulate in this area.