Are You Brushing Your Teeth Wrong? Common Mistakes to Avoid

If you try to rectify the common mistakes you make when brushing, you accomplish 50 percent of the battle. Studies reveal Americans fail to brush their teeth twice daily for the suggested two minutes. Alarmingly two percent admit they don’t brush at all. Twelve percent say 48 hours was the longest they remained without brushing — that’s some severe lousy breath.

The benefits of brushing and its once-daily accompaniment of flossing are significant. Unfortunately, people not brushing their teeth as recommended by the dentist in Wenatchee, WA, expose themselves to a heightened risk of discolored teeth, tooth decay, gum disease, and other severe health problems. Unfortunately, even if you brush twice daily, you can make minor changes to get the most out of this healthy practice. You must avoid or learn how to correct the five most common brushing mistakes to accomplish this goal.

If you are searching for a dental practice combining high-quality oral care with a compassionate atmosphere, it helps if you visit the Wenatchee dentist; at their practice to give the professional and staff to give you high-class dentistry with integrity and genuine care. The practice extends from pediatric to geriatric patients and provides the best dental care for everyone’s long-term health.

The Five Toothbrushing Mistakes to Avoid

Your Toothbrush Isn’t Meant to Last Forever

You may love the toothbrush you use. Unfortunately, it isn’t designed to last forever. Recommendations are made by the American Dental Association to change your toothbrush with a new one every three to four months. If you find it challenging to keep track of the dates, consider making seasonal changes. Toothbrushes become ineffective with time because the bristles start fraying or breaking, disallowing you to achieve the same results with the tool.

Don’t Shorten Brushing

Despite the American Dental Association’s recommendation, the national average for brushing remains a dismal 45 seconds instead of two minutes. Children may top the list because they are often negligent with dental hygiene. However, you must brush for two minutes to remove built-up dental plaque and residual food particles from your mouth. If you are concerned about missing time, invest in a timer or an electric toothbrush with a built-in timer.

Aggressive Isn’t the Best Technique

You may think differently, but a soft-bristled toothbrush serves your needs better than a hard-bristled version. Soft bristles efficiently clean plaque and food, while the more complex version is better for removing surface stains and discoloration. Daily use of hard bristles can wear down tooth enamel and harm gum tissue. You don’t have to be aggressive when brushing your teeth, even when using a soft bristle toothbrush. Instead, be gentle with your teeth because they are a part of your mouth, helping you eat, speak, and smile.

Cleaning All Parts of Your Mouth Is Essential

Dental offices suggest cleaning your entire mouth in little circles when brushing your teeth. Remember, the key is to clean your whole mouth and not just parts of it. Brushing the outside of your teeth is insufficient because you must also hit the gum line and the lingual side of your mouth. In addition, ensure that you brush your tongue because bacteria hang out on the tongue just like your teeth. Cleaning your tongue helps maintain fresh breath as a bonus.

Waiting before Brushing

Do you know someone brushing their teeth immediately after eating? They are doing themselves an injustice because brushing immediately after eating acidic foods can push the acids deeper into the teeth resulting in enamel erosion and damage. The local dentist near you suggests waiting at least 60 minutes before brushing after meals. The short waiting time allows your saliva to neutralize acids and results in better cleaning.

Even if you maintain your dental hygiene as discussed in this article your oral health benefits by getting the six monthly dental cleaning to enable the dentist to remove plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth and below the gum line to ensure you don’t become a victim of cavities or gum disease.

When you rectify the brushing mistakes you make and schedule appointments with family dentistry for routine exams and cleanings, you ensure your dental health remains optimal with your overall health.

If you think your brushing technique needs to be revised, Confluence Dental Wenatchee can help you overcome your challenge by advising you on the mistakes to avoid when brushing. Kindly arrange your next routine exam with them to get your teeth cleaned and receive tips on correctly brushing them.