Things You're Doing Wrong When Brushing Your Teeth

You probably haven’t thought much about the way you brush your teeth since you learned how to do it as a child. Unfortunately, you’ve likely lost a few of your tooth-brushing skills over the years, and your oral health is suffering for it. 

That’s where our experts come in. 

Our team of dentists at EZ Dental Clinic is here to help you brush up on the basics of tooth brushing. Here are some of the most common mistakes you can make with a toothbrush. 

Underbrushing

The recommended time to brush your teeth is at least two minutes. To keep yourself accountable, set a timer when you start brushing, and don’t stop until the two minutes are over. 

Overbrushing

You’ve likely been told that you should brush your teeth at least two times a day to keep your teeth and gums healthy, but overbrushing can also carry consequences.

Brushing too often can wear away the enamel on your teeth and also increase your risk for gum damage. We can help you figure out the right brushing schedule based on your unique needs.

Brushing with too much pressure

If you brush with a heavy hand, you may be doing more damage than you realize. Brushing too hard can damage your teeth and your gums.

Try taking a gentler approach to your brushing routine, and move in a circular motion across the front and back surfaces of all of your teeth at a 45-degree angle. Brushing at the correct angle and with circular movements ensures that you loosen food and bacteria from in between your teeth, giving your teeth a proper cleaning.

Brushing with the wrong tools

Because everyone has unique dental needs, it’s important that you check with your dentist to determine which type of toothbrush is best for you.

There are a lot of choices available for bristle type and toothbrush style. Using the right toothbrush prevents unnecessary damage to your enamel and your gums.

Brushing with old tools

If you brush diligently twice a day every day of the week, the bristles of your toothbrush will eventually wear out after three months. Broken and worn-down bristles won’t clean your teeth properly and may even irritate your gums.

Change out your toothbrush at least every three months or after you have a cold, strep throat, and other types of contagious illness.

Brushing while distracted

Brushing your teeth can become so routine that you don’t even pay attention to what you're doing. To improve your brushing habits, try switching up your brushing pattern each time you brush.

For example, you can start brushing from the back to the front or switch to an electric toothbrush that makes it easier to clean hard-to-reach spaces

Forgetting to clean your brush

Your toothbrush gets dirty after each use, so be sure to rinse it thoroughly to remove debris and bacteria then let it air dry.

It’s also important to store your toothbrush in a closet or medicine cabinet to protect it from common bathroom germs. Keeping your toothbrush out in the open leaves it exposed to things like germs splashing from the toilet when you flush.

Forgetting your tongue

You might not realize it, but your tongue holds on to a lot of bacteria that cause bad breath and can increase your risk for cavities. Give your tongue some attention each time you brush to kill off bacteria and keep your breath fresh.

Ask your dentist for advice about over-the-counter tools, like tongue scrapers, to keep your tongue extra clean and give your oral health even more of a boost.

If you have questions about how to improve your oral hygiene or need to schedule a professional tooth cleaning appointment, call our office, or request a visit online today.