A smile is many times the first thing people notice about someone. A healthy smile is one of your most stand-out features. We typically see commercials and advertisements that feature good-looking people with flawless white smiles informing us to brush at least twice a day. While you may be faithful about this, do you really pay attention to how you brush your teeth?
There are between 300 – 700 types of bacteria living in your mouth. When you don’t take care of your teeth properly, these bacteria begin to cling to food particles and debris, which eventually leads to pits and caries and other oral issues. If you neglect to take care of your teeth regularly, or if you don’t pay attention to your technique when brushing, you can elevate your chances of getting cavities, gum disease, and even bone and gum loss around the teeth.
Exceptional dental hygiene starts with figuring out the correct habits. As intuitive as cleaning your teeth sounds – you’ve probably been achieving it since you were knee high – very few people brush their teeth as well as they should to uphold their dental health. Though you may be making mistakes when you brush, there are plenty of methods to fix them. To help prevent oral health issues before critical conditions can form, individuals should schedule a dental examination with our dentists at DentalWorks – Beachwood in Orange, OH once a year.
If you take a moment and assess your tooth brushing habits, is it conceivable you could be making multiple mistakes without even noticing it? If any of the following mistakes apply to you, DentalWorks – Beachwood in Orange, OH can help you develop good practices for the future.
FORGETTING TO REPLACE YOUR TOOTHBRUSH REGULARLY
The qualified team of dentists at DentalWorks – Beachwood cautions people to change their toothbrush every 3 – 4 months. Aged and broken toothbrush bristles will not keep your teeth clean. With regular use, they no longer have flexibility and aren’t able to successfully clear out the bacteria in your mouth. Further, bacteria and food particles can accumulate on your toothbrush after extended use, which can bring about many issues. Be careful to remember to change out your toothbrush every 3 months.
DON’T BRUSH TOO FAST
Sparing only one minute to brush your teeth is always a serious mistake. The usual amount of time most people spend brushing their teeth is 45 seconds, which is not anywhere near an effective amount of time. The qualified dentists at DentalWorks – Beachwood urge patients to brush their teeth for a full 2 minutes twice per day. Anything under that cannot give the fluoride in the toothpaste enough time to soak into your enamel. To check that you’re giving enough time to brushing your teeth, open the timer on your phone every time you brush.
IT’S BAD TO RINSE OUT YOUR MOUTH AFTER BRUSHING
All of us are probably guilty of rinsing out our mouths after we have wrapped up with brushing. In fact, it is an instinctive habit for many. Be that as it may, doing this vastly cuts down the efficiency of the fluoride from your toothpaste and its ability to safeguard your teeth. Instead of water, use a mouthwash that has fluoride to rinse out your mouth after you’re finished brushing.
AVOID BRUSHING TOO HARD
“Harder” is never helpful when it comes to brushing your teeth. A gentle technique is all recommended to clean your teeth appropriately. Even if you may think that brushing your teeth harder will eradicate more of the bacteria and deposits that cause cavities and other problems, the fact is that brushing roughly can actually cause damage. Additional pressure may actually cause gum recession. Rather than scrubbing roughly, brushing your teeth should be more like a mild massage.
LEAVE YOUR TOOTHBRUSH IN THE OPEN TO DRY WHEN YOU’RE DONE BRUSHING
The dentists at DentalWorks – Beachwood remind people to keep their toothbrushes upright and let them air dry. When you keep a damp toothbrush in a covered container, it can cultivate harmful bacteria.
DON’T USE BRISTLES THAT ARE TOO RESISTANT
A handful of people think that harder toothbrush bristles are more helpful for cleaning teeth because these are what eradicates dangerous bacteria and plaque from the mouth. However, hard bristles are not beneficial when it comes to brushing your teeth. Resistant bristles can break down the structure of the teeth by removing the protective coating of your enamel]. Subsequently, you may end up with tooth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity is when your teeth sting when you drink something hot or cold. Hard bristles will also wear down the gumline. Our knowledgeable dentists at DentalWorks – Beachwood are always happy to let you know the proper dental implements for your oral health.
STOP USING INCORRECT BRUSHING HABITS
Good technique is very important when you are brushing your teeth. For a complete clean, you should target numerous areas, including the full surface area of the teeth. Plus, the gums, tongue, and the roof of your mouth should be considered. The dentists at DentalWorks – Beachwood advise patients to follow these easy steps:
It’s critical that your toothbrush makes contact with the teeth and gumline.
DON’T FORGET THE IMPORTANCE OF FLOSSING EVERY DAY
To uphold your health, it’s imperative to floss daily. Flossing regularly helps to remove the bacteria in between your teeth, especially in spots where your toothbrush can’t reach. Plaque that is not cleaned out turns into hard deposits on your teeth and gums, which often will result in a long list of dental issues.
BEGIN MAKING USE OF BETTER TOOTHBRUSHING HABITS TODAY
On average, it takes two months to get used to new habits. Trying to include one positive practice to your toothbrushing routine each week should prove helpful in the long run. Practicing good toothbrushing habits alongside regular visits to DentalWorks – Beachwood in Orange, OH will assist with your long-term oral health, as well as decrease your risk of needing significant dental work later in life. Call the team of skilled dental professionals at DentalWorks – Beachwood. We perform a comprehensive list of preventive care and restorative options for the family.
