We all know someone who goes to town on their teeth like they’re fighting a battle, considering their teeth a brutal battlefield. Doing so is actually bad for your teeth, as it can wear down your enamel and cause receding gums. This phenomenon is known as toothbrush abrasion, which is caused by brushing your teeth too hard.
5 Mistakes You Make While Brushing Your Teeth
As easy as it may seem, there are only a handful of people who brush their teeth properly. Here are some mistakes that you might make unknowingly while brushing your teeth:
1. Brushing your teeth too hard.
One of the major issues that dentists face these days is over-brushing. You should not brush your teeth like you’re scrubbing them. It is not a bathroom tile grout that needs extreme brushing to get the dirt out. The plaque on the teeth is loose and soft, so you should forget scrubbing and focus on massaging the teeth with your toothbrush.
2. You’re in a hurry while brushing.
Brushing the teeth is often taken as a chore. While doing so, people can hurry along and forget to brush their teeth in a proper manner, and rather just cut the brushing short. It is recommended that you brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes each time to get the desired results.
3. You forget to brush the gum line.
Bacteria love to party in the gum line, where the tooth meets the gum. There is almost a millimeter of gum tissue where your teeth come outside the gum. This is where you should get under and bend the bristles just a little to get to the crevices.
4. Picking the wrong toothbrush.
It might seem difficult to choose from the wide variety of toothbrushes at the supermarket. You should look for a toothbrush that can cover all the places that need covering. It can be a normal toothbrush or an electric one; it’s alright to use both. However, it is important to note that the brush has soft bristles so that it does not damage the enamel and can get under the gum without hurting them
5. Going back and forth on the teeth.
The most common mistake people make is going along the teeth, left and right. Think of it like a massage, and move up and down. You should start from the gum and go up and down from there. Use circular motions, as suggested by several dentists. If you don’t, it can cause damage.
How Many Times Should You Brush Your Teeth?
It is generally recommended that you brush your teeth at least twice daily, once in the morning and once at night. However, some doctors suggest brushing your teeth thrice a day, once after every meal, which is the optimal number of times.
Underbrushing is just as dangerous as overbrushing, as it can impact oral health. Research mentions that skipping nightly tooth brushing may increase the risk of heart disease, while other research suggests that it could lead to dementia, arthritis, or even pancreatic cancer.
To Sum It Up
Neglecting the teeth, even just a little, can cause the teeth to decay and damage the enamel, which is why it is important to know whether you brush your teeth properly.
Got questions about your dental health? Consult our team at Porter Smiles Dental. We are here to help you achieve the best oral health and maintain your teeth perfectly. You can call us at (281) 519-7200.