Most people have adopted the habit of brushing their teeth twice a day. That’s excellent! However, merely brushing twice a day isn’t enough to protect your teeth and gums from damage. You must brush correctly. Mistakes in how you brush your teeth could mean that your daily oral hygiene habits are doing more harm than good. In this blog post, we’ll discuss a few common mistakes you must avoid if you want to keep your teeth and gums strong and healthy.
Brushing Too Hard
Some people reason that the more pressure you apply when brushing, the cleaner your teeth will be. That type of thinking is dangerous because the teeth and gums, while quite durable, are vulnerable to damage. If they are exposed to overenthusiastic brushing habits day after day, they will suffer. Your tooth enamel may incur premature wear and tear, causing your teeth to be extra sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. Your gums may start to bleed and even recede.
Always be gentle when you brush your teeth. You don’t need to apply a lot of pressure to get rid of plaque and bacteria. If your toothbrushes tend to wear out quickly, or your teeth and gums hurt after you brush, those are signs that you need to use a lighter touch.
Using Hard Bristles
Even if you are brushing gently, using the wrong type of toothbrush can negate your efforts to treat your teeth well. Extra stiff bristles are not better at cleaning your teeth and gums than soft bristles. In fact, their relative inflexibility may mean that they actually contact less surface area and thus miss a lot of plaque and bacteria. They can also cause premature gum recession and wear away at your tooth enamel. While many toothbrush manufacturers have begun to phase out hard bristles, you should still double-check to make sure that any brush you buy has soft or even extra-soft bristles.
Brushing Too Soon
Just like brushing your teeth too hard can harm your oral health, so can brushing too soon after a meal. When you eat or drink anything with sugar or acid in it, that acid attacks the teeth and causes the enamel to temporarily soften. Brushing when your teeth are in a weakened state can lead to oral damage. It’s best to wait about 30 minutes or so after a meal before you brush your teeth. That will give your saliva time to neutralize the acids, and it will give your tooth enamel a chance to re-harden.
Brushing your teeth is vital, but it is also vital that you brush correctly. Use the above tips to ensure that you are not inadvertently damaging your teeth and gums due to missteps in your oral hygiene habits.
About the Author
Dr. Eric L. Townsend is a graduate of the Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry. He has been practicing the art and science of dentistry for well over 30 years. He loves to educate his patients with the goal of helping them achieve better oral health. If you have any questions about the best way to brush your teeth, or regarding anything else related to your dental well-being, contact our office at 904-285-7711.