Brushing your teeth is probably second-nature to you. You do it twice a day, every day (at least you should), so you probably have it pretty well figured out. But surprisingly, people make a lot of mistakes when they brush their teeth. Of course, brushing your teeth incorrectly is better than not brushing your teeth at all, but why not get the most out of your oral health routine? Today in the Parkcrest Dental Group blog, we’ll talk about the most common mistakes people make in their brushing routines.
Brushing Too Hard
Probably the most common mistake people make is brushing their teeth too hard. Although you might think that it’s cleaning them better, it’s actually bad for them. You can damage your gums quite a bit if you’re brushing too hard on a regular basis. Very light pressure is all you need to effectively brush your teeth.
Related Post: Parkcrest Dental Group: Toothbrushing Tips And Techniques
Not Brushing Long Enough
It’s an old rule, but it’s there for a reason. Two minutes is the proper amount of time needed to brush your teeth. Anything less and you may be missing some spots. A good way to make this easier is to divide your mouth up into four quadrants. Brush each area of your mouth for 30 seconds. Many electric toothbrushes will take care of timing for you, so here at Parkcrest Dental Group, we recommend getting one. Plus, they do a much better job of cleaning your teeth than a normal toothbrush.
Related Post: Parkcrest Dental Group Brushing And Flossing Tips
Not Replacing Your Toothbrush
Your toothbrush, if used on a regular basis, should be replaced about every three months. If you have an electric toothbrush, you can just replace the head. The reason is that the bristles on your brush will eventually fray and they won’t be as effective. Parkcrest Dental Group recommends you get soft bristle brushes too. They won’t be as harsh on your gums, and they’re better at getting into the crevices.
Not Brushing Correctly
You need to make sure you’re brushing your teeth at a 45 degree angle in order to get your teeth as clean as possible. Make short circle strokes too. This is also easier to do if you have an electric toothbrush.
Related Post: What Happens If You Stop Brushing? Parkcrest Dental Group
Schedule an Appointment at Parkcrest Dental Group
Another important part of keeping your teeth healthy is getting your biannual cleaning at Parkcrest Dental Group. Dentists can remove built-up plaque that you can’t remove at home yourself. Plus, during your appointment they can recommend brushing habits and help show you the proper brushing technique in person. To schedule an appointment at Parkcrest Dental Group, contact us today.
