Tooth Brushing Ways You Are Doing Wrong

Since the moment our first baby tooth came in, brushing has been part of our daily routine. It has become second nature that we barely even think about it. Surprisingly, though, it would seem that we might have been brushing our teeth the wrong way this whole time.
Troubleshoot your brushing techniques and keep gum disease and cavities at bay by avoiding these common mistakes.

Mistake #1: Using a Toothbrush with Stiff Bristles

Toothbrushes with bristles that are too stiff can hurt your gums. It is advisable that you use a soft-bristled brush instead. Also, consider the size of your mouth when choosing the right toothbrush. Your brush is probably too big for your mouth if you’re straining to open wide enough.
Whether you are going for an electric toothbrush or manual toothbrush is up to you. What really matters is the brusher. But if you have arthritis or problems with your hands, electric toothbrushes can make brushing easier for you.

Mistake #2: Brushing Too Quickly

Sure, you brush twice or even three times a day. But how long does it take you? Most individuals fall very short of the time period. But in a typical set-up, brushing should take at least 2 minutes.
Don’t be in a rush; at the same time, don’t go at it for too long, so plaque will not have the chance to buildup and cause sore gums. There are certain electric toothbrushes with built-in timers that may be helpful with this situation.

Mistake #3: Overdoing It

While brushing may keep your teeth plaque-free, brushing too much a day can ruin them. When you brush more than three times each day, you are actually only wearing down your tooth enamel and damaging your gums. So do it in moderation.
Also, you do not want to brush forcefully. Instead, use a light, gentle touch to remove plaque.

Mistake #4: Using Enormous Amount of Toothpaste

Don’t believe those toothpaste ads and commercials. You don’t really need to apply a long strip of toothpaste on your brush. In fact, a pea size is all your teeth needs. It not only is just as effective, it is also less abrasive to the teeth.

Mistake #5: Rinsing after Brushing

Nearly everyone brushes, spits, and then rinse. But this is actually wrong. After brushing your teeth, be sure to spit out, but do not rinse. This allows the fluoride from your toothpaste to stay on your teeth longer, making it more effective.

Mistake #6: Brushing Side to Side

Side strokes, as what most people do, are not very efficient as they can cause scrapes along the gum line. To avoid this, stick to a circular or up-and-down motion while using short strokes. And be thorough. Brush the outer and inner parts of your teeth, your tongue, and back molars to completely remove plaque in your mouth.

Here are several proper ways of brushing your teeth.

Do NOT brush right after a meal.

Brushing right after eating or drinking, particularly after consuming something acidic, is not advisable because acid wears down the enamel on your tooth making it prone to more damage. Let your saliva neutralize the acids in your mouth for approximately 30 minutes before coming near it with your toothbrush.

Go in circles.

The proper way to brush is in small circular motion. The purpose of brushing is to remove leftover particles in between teeth, and brushing horizontally won’t be able to do just that. Plus, horizontal brushing will only ruin your tooth enamel. So stick to circular movements from now on to avoid any dental issues such as gum sensitivity or tooth abrasion.

Go at it Gently.

Never brush with too much force because it traumatizes your gums and wear down your enamel. Try going at it as lightly and as gently as possible, with just enough pressure to clean your mouth.

Stash your toothbrush properly.

Store it in the open where there is good ventilation so it dries faster. Humid and damp places are where germs and bacteria lurk, so make certain your toothbrush does not come close to those areas.

If you’re toothbrush is frayed, replace it.

Toss that old and frayed toothbrush in the trash. Generally, a toothbrush should be thrown and replaced every three or four months. It is also advisable that you throw away a toothbrush after you’ve had a cold or flu.

Two minutes twice a day are all it would take

Aim to brush your teeth for a full 2 minutes to really clean your mouth. Make certain you brush for two or three times each day to prevent bacterial plaque buildup and other teeth and gum problems.
Stay on top of your oral health and contact a Scottsdale dentist about any other dental care concerns.