But brushing too hard, or not enough, can have major implications on your oral health.
To reap the benefits of daily brushing, it’s important to do so correctly.
Below are common mistakes people make when brushing their teeth.
1. Brushing Too Hard.
This is the most common mistake people make when brushing their teeth.
There is a misconception that the power of your stroke is what cleans your teeth.
It is the motion of your brush that does the cleaning.
If the bristles of your tooth brush are splayed out, you are brushing too hard
2.
Using a tooth brush that is too hard.
Again, it is not the firmness of your toothbrush that cleans your teeth.
It is the motion of your brushing. Using a toothbrush that is too hard can also result in loss of enamel and gum tissue, and can be painful if you are not careful.
When selecting a toothbrush, I recommend using the softest one you can find.
3.
Most people will change their toothbrush twice a year, if you’re lucky.
And this is not often enough. Dentists recommend that you change your toothbrush every three months.
Not only is using a toothbrush for too long unhygienic, the brush typically loses its effectiveness after three months.
4. Using the wrong toothpaste.
All of the added features in
toothpaste today come at a cost to your oral health.
My recommendation is to use the most natural and least abrasive toothpaste you can find.
Your tongue is a receptacle for germs and most often the cause of bad breath.
When you’re done brushing, use a tongue scraper to clean your tongue or brush your tongue with your toothbrush.
This will reduce the number of germs in your mouth and improve your breath.
6. Brushing in the same pattern every time.
If you always start by brushing your teeth in the upper right and end at the lower left, there’s a good chance you’re missing the same areas every day.
To prevent this, change up the pattern in which you brush your teeth. It may take some intentional thought, but it will ensure that all of your teeth are being cleaned properly.
While it seems like a long time, it’s recommended that you brush your teeth for two minutes – 30 seconds in each quadrant of your mouth.
On average, I find that people are brushing their teeth for 45 seconds or less, which is not long enough to properly clean your teeth and remove all food and plaque
Maintaining strong and healthy teeth
Maintaining strong and healthy teeth is essential for our overall health. Here are some tips to help keep your teeth healthy:
2. Floss daily: Flossing helps remove food particles and plaque from between your teeth and along the gum line. Floss at least once per day.
3. Limit sugary and acidic foods and drinks: Sugary and acidic foods and beverages can erode tooth enamel and cause cavities. Limit how much soda, sports drinks, and sugary snacks you consume.
4. Choose tooth-healthy foods: Foods high in calcium, such as dairy products, leafy green vegetables, and almonds, are good for your teeth. Also, crunching on crispy fruits and veggies can help clean your teeth naturally.
Visit the dentist regularly: Regular dental checkups can help detect oral health problems early on and prevent them from becoming more serious.
7. Quit smoking: Cigarette smoking can lead to oral cancer, gum disease, and tooth loss. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your oral and overall health