Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential to maintain your overall health. It is important to adopt good brushing practices to make your oral hygiene regime effective. Even people with the best intentions can make some common brushing mistakes. It is important to identify what these are, or else they can compromise your overall health.
Everyone is taught the ways to brush and floss by their parents while growing up. However, as advancements in the dental field continue, new insights and techniques about dental care have emerged. Debunking some misconceptions and learning about the facts can make a significant difference. Visit a dentist in Vista, CA today.
Common brushing mistakes you should know
- Brushing too hard.
Brushing hard helps clean teeth much better– this is the most common and widespread brushing myth. It is a misconception that giving harder force to clean your teeth does a good job. However, it isn’t how much force you give but the motion of your brushing.
On the other hand, brushing too hard can damage your tooth enamel and cause problems like tooth sensitivity and decay. If the bristles of your toothbrush get ruined too quickly, you are brushing too hard.
- Using the wrong toothbrush.
You may think all toothbrushes are the same, but they are not. There are two types of toothbrushes in the market: electric and manual. While more people are opting for electric toothbrushes lately, you should choose one you are comfortable with the most.
A manual toothbrush is handy, easy to carry, and you can control how much force to use. On the other hand, electric toothbrushes can require charging and make some noise. However, the automatic rotating bristles make the job easier. Electric brushes are said to clean better than manual toothbrushes.
- Using a hard-bristled toothbrush.
People commonly make the mistake of thinking that a hard-bristled toothbrush cleans better. However, hard bristles or any hard object can damage the enamel, which is the protective layer of your teeth. This can lead to various problems such as gum recession, tooth sensitivity, etc. Unless your dentist specifically recommends a firmer brush, use soft-bristled ones only.
- Not changing your brush enough.
Most people change their toothbrushes two times a year at most. However, this is not enough. It is medically recommended to change your toothbrush at least once every three months or when the bristles become visibly damaged. Using the same toothbrush for a long time is unhygienic and can lead to tooth loss.
If you have a tooth problem, visit your dentist today.
