Brushing our teeth is a part of our everyday life and has been since the moment we can remember. So, is there a chance we have been doing it wrong all this time? Quite possibly! Many of us know the importance of brushing our teeth, but do we actually know what we are doing apart from moving a toothbrush around for a bit? If you are making any of these teeth cleaning mistakes- it is time for a change!
Brushing Too Hard
You are not alone if you think brushing with more pressure means better cleaning, and the amount of flat, brushed out toothbrushes that get thrown out in the trash are a testament to how hard many of us are brushing our teeth.
Toothbrushes are only meant to graze lightly over the tooth removing any stuck plague and debris, whereas if you press too hard, you essentially end up scrubbing the tooth which can cause problems such as damaging the enamel and encouraging gums to recede.
Not Brushing Long Enough
It can be tempting to move the brush around once and call it a day, but if you do not brush long enough, there is a limited chance that you have actually managed to get all of the food and plaque off your teeth. Any plaque left to fester can cause problems, which is why it is important to be diligent when it comes to brushing for a decent amount of time.
It is recommended that 2 minutes on average is adequate, but you can always do the tongue test too afterward. Run your tongue over your teeth and if it feels rough or bumpy, and not satisfyingly smooth, then there is a good chance there is still some plaque lingering around.
That being said, sometimes rough teeth can be a symptom of more serious issues such as enamel decay, which should be prevented as soon as possible. Make sure to visit a professional dentist such as Best Dental at https://bestdentistinhouston.com/ to check your teeth are in good condition, and that a rough feeling isn’t anything more serious.
Not Brushing All of Your Teeth
Many of us think we have probably given our mouths a good go around with the brush, at least the teeth we can see, but teeth towards the back at the top and bottom are often neglected, as traditional toothbrushes are not always able to reach that far. This can cause the classic problems of cavities, bad breath, and infection, so be sure to invest in specialist dental toothbrushes and tools to make sure you are getting into all of the nooks and crannies in your mouth!
Not Brushing Your Tongue
Your tongue holds on to a significant number of bacteria in your mouth, which when left to its own devices can fester. Using your toothbrush lightly on your tongue, or a professional tool such as a tongue scraper can make all the difference to limiting bacteria in the mouth which can lead to issues such as cavities and infections.
Good points!