If you’re wondering how your oral hygiene measures up, be sure to avoid the following most common brushing mistakes.
Brushing Too Vigorously
Bearing down on your toothbrush vigorously to brush your pearly whites could lead to serious permanent damage to your teeth. When we brush too hard, we are wearing cracks in tooth enamel. This mineralized coating around teeth is what prevents bacteria from forming cavities. When tooth enamel is damaged, our teeth are unprotected.
Instead of brushing with force and vigor, take a more careful approach. Gently clean your teeth in soft, circular motions.
Forgetting to Change Your Toothbrush
Over time, your toothbrush’s bristles can become home to millions of harmful bacteria. Keeping a toothbrush for too long will also cause its bristles to fray, which can irritate gums. The American Dental Association and our dentist recommend changing your toothbrush every three months.
One easy way to remember to start using a new toothbrush is to do so at the beginning of each new season. You can also set reminders on your mobile phone or mark dates on your calendar.
Improperly Storing Your Toothbrush
How we store our toothbrush between uses makes a difference. When you’re not using your brush, it should be stored in an upright position. Storing it in this way ensures that water drains away from your bristles so they can dry. Keeping your toothbrush too wet can lead to bacterial growth.
Brushing For Less Than Two Minutes
Did you know that it takes about two minutes to brush your mouth thoroughly? In addition to cleaning the surfaces of your teeth, you need to brush your gums, tongue, and the roof of your mouth. Soft oral tissue harbors most of our mouth’s oral bacteria. Considering hanging a clock in your bathroom or using a timer to ensure that you are brushing long enough. You can also purchase an electric toothbrush with a built-in timer.
If it’s time for a checkup, call Howl Dental to reserve an appointment with our dentist.