Bloomsburg, Danville, and Lewisburg, PA
You’ve heard it all your life—brush your teeth every day. There is a reason why you’ve heard that all your life. Regular brushing is vital for good oral health. When you brush is important but so is how you brush. While many people remain committed to brushing their teeth twice a day, they may not be doing so correctly, leaving their teeth vulnerable to cavities. Keep in mind that, even with people brushing their teeth daily, 92% of adults experience tooth decay and cavities between the ages of 20 and 64 years old. In this article, your Bloomsburg family dentists at Hamilton Dental Care discuss three ways you might be brushing incorrectly and not realize.
Why is your brushing technique so important?
Maintaining proper oral hygiene is not easy. Certain techniques take practice, and unless you were taught the right way to brush from early childhood, it is likely that you have developed incorrect habits. Now for the good news … any of these mistakes can be corrected. Now, let’s take a deeper look at some of the most common tooth brushing mistakes that people make.
Mistake 1: Over Brushing
If you’re over brushing, this means you are brushing your teeth too hard. Bearing down and scrubbing hard on your teeth won’t make them cleaner; it does more harm than good. Using the right motion of your toothbrush—making small circles—helps clean them best. Brush too hard, and you can damage your gums, cause heightened sensitivity, and even wear away the enamel on your teeth, ironically making you more susceptible to decay.
Mistake 2: Not changing your toothbrush often enough
You want certain things in your life to last forever, but your toothbrush isn’t one of them. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends opting for a new toothbrush every three to four months or when your toothbrush starts to wear out—whichever comes first. If the bristles of your toothbrush start to flatten out, lose their stiffness, or even come loose, then it’s time to trash that brush and begin using a new one. It’s also ideal to get a new toothbrush after you’ve been sick to prevent reinfecting yourself.
Mistake 3: Not brushing for enough time
You should brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time. Failing to brush for the proper amount of time is like only halfway completing the job. You could be leaving behind plaque and bacteria, potentially becoming fuel for cavities and tooth decay. To ensure you brush long enough, you could set a timer, hum a song, or invest in an electric toothbrush equipped with a timer.
Family Dentists in Bloomsburg, Danville, and Lewisburg
We hope you find this article on common tooth brushing mistakes to be helpful. There’s one other common mistake we didn’t mention—failing to see your dentist every six months for a check-up. At Hamilton Dental Care, these routine check-ups include a professional dental cleaning, as well as an examination of your teeth and mouth to identify potential problems. Skipping regular dental appointments can undo all the positive work, even with diligent brushing and flossing. At your check-up, one of our dental hygienists can also demonstrate proper brushing techniques to ensure you get the most effective clean every time you brush. If you’ve gotten off your schedule of regular dental visits, now is a great time to get back on track. Call (570) 387-0533 to make your appointment at Hamilton Dental Care.
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