Brushing your teeth is an important part of keeping your mouth healthy. It might seem like something that is second nature to do, but there are common mistakes that people make when they’re brushing their teeth, which can damage your teeth and gums. Here are the mistakes you could be making when you’re brushing your teeth.
1 – Your toothbrush bristles are too hard. Hard bristles can wear down and weaken the tooth enamel. You want a soft-bristled brush with a small enough brush head to easily reach all your teeth.
2 – You’re brushing too hard. It can be tempting to brush hard, as it feels like you’re doing a really good job cleaning your teeth. In fact, brushing too hard damages your tooth enamel, and can even cause gum recession, which would need to be corrected with LANAP / Laser Gum Treatment. An angled handle can ease the pressure on your teeth if you know you’re a hard brusher.
3 – You’re holding your toothbrush too tightly. If you’re gripping your toothbrush, you’re more likely to brush too hard and wear away your tooth enamel. Choose a brush that you can hold comfortably with a light grip.
4 – You’re holding the brush at the wrong angle. You should hold the brush so the surface of the toothbrush bristles at a 45-degree angle to the front of your teeth. Brush in small strokes, one tooth a time, or in small circles.
5 – You don’t brush for long enough. Brush your teeth for at least two minutes. You can check the clock when you start brushing or invest in an electric toothbrush with a timer.
6 – You skip brushing before bed. After a long day, or if you’ve come home late after a night out, the last thing you want to do is your nightly routine before falling into bed. If you often skip brushing before bed, think of the seven or eight hours bacteria has to work, uninterrupted in your mouth, causing tooth decay and tartar.
7 – You forget to brush your tongue. Your tongue is one of the biggest sources of bad breath, thanks to the volume of microbes and food debris that gets stuck on it.
8 – You skip flossing. There will be food hiding between your teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach. This harbors bacteria, so flossing is the best way to get rid of it.
As always, thank you for reading! Stay healthy and safe!
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