Brushing your teeth; we all know how to do it, or do we? When it comes to brushing our teeth properly, very few people actually know that they are making a mistake, but it’s more common than it is not. In this guide, we’re going to cover some mistakes we make when we brush our teeth so it can teach you how to avoid making those mistakes. You may even notice something that you’re doing on this list that you didn’t know was wrong.
Choose the Right Toothbrush
Choosing a toothbrush can be a daunting task, and it’s an extremely marketable area of interest. You go to the store and see a shelf that’s full of hundreds of toothbrushes. Which one do you pick? Should you choose hard, medium, or soft brushes? Well, the answer to this is that for your natural teeth, you should actually choose a soft bristle. Your mouth is fragile, so it’s important that you get a bristle that can simply cover gently brushing your teeth and not wear your enamel away. Safe the harder bristle brushes for things like dentures (hard or medium bristle), ceramic implants (medium or soft), etc. Make sure that it’s not too big or too small.
Brushing Too Much
Some people think that the harder that they brush, the better. This actually isn’t their case. Others may think that the longer you brush, the more you’re removing plaque. Actually what you’re doing is brushing away the nutrients that help keep your enamel strong, and you can actually end up damaging your teeth more than doing them good.
You Don’t Brush Good Enough
While some say that they take about a minute a day to brush their teeth, it’s important to know that you should actually brush for two minutes. Have a busy schedule? Brush your teeth regularly.
Not Changing Your Brushes Frequently Enough
There are many people who have been known to keep their toothbrushes even after 6 months, but this is not good. Your toothbrush starts to lose its ability to clean well if your toothbrush starts changing color, has a bunch of bent bristles, or just doesn’t look as clean. When the bristles fray, let it go and get a new one. You should change them about every 3 months.
Brushing the Wrong Direction
Another common mistake is that people think they can brush horizontally or vertically. The truth is, you should actually mix it up. You start from the gum, and go up and down on the front of your teeth. On your back teeth, you want to angle the brush in a 45-degree angle and go almost in a circular motion up and down. You can hurt your teeth otherwise.
Conclusion: Schedule That Appointment
The biggest mistake also that people make is thinking they are okay to put off their dentist appointments. You should visit a dentist at least twice a year for your overall health and your teeth as well. A dentist can do more than you can just by doing the right things above, but by doing the right thing as we described in this article, and scheduling your regular dental cleanings and appointments, you can avoid damage to that smile and keep it picture perfect easier.