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Most of us have been brushing our teeth twice a day for most of our lives. At this point, we think we’ve got it down to a science. But if you’re brushing wrong, you could be making mistakes that not only harm the gum line but also put your oral health in jeopardy. Today we’re sharing the most common mistakes people make when brushing their teeth, AND how to correct these mistakes before any long-term damage is done.
Most everyone is brushing the outside of their teeth, which makes sense because this is the side we can all see. But what about the inside, the tongue-side? It’s pretty easy to tell when a patient doesn’t brush the inside of their teeth because there will be inflammation and sometimes even calculus from debris.
“According to the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry, there are over 300 specific types of bacteria living in your mouth,” reports Colgate. All of this to say that bacteria live everywhere in your mouth, so make sure to brush both the front and the backs of your teeth!
Bacteria like to hang out around your gums. Yeah, we know it’s gross, but it’s true! This is why it’s so important to clean your entire mouth while brushing your teeth, including the gumline.
Pro Tip: Angle your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle against your gum line for a better clean.
Speaking of gums, don’t forget to floss at least once per day!
Not only does brushing your tongue fight bad breath, it also contributes to your overall oral health. Remember all that bacteria we mentioned earlier? It lives on your tongue too! To remove the bacteria on your tongue, you’ll need to do more than rinse with mouthwash. You’ll want to use your toothbrush to brush back and forth, then side to side, and finally rinse with water or your preferred mouthwash.
Unlike a good pair of shoes that finally get broken in, keeping a toothbrush that’s too “broken in” is a bad idea. An old toothbrush will not do a proper job of cleaning your teeth. If the bristles of your toothbrush have become bent, dirty looking, frayed and broken off, or you notice bristles are falling out when you brush—it’s time to toss that toothbrush and get a new one ASAP.
Do you brush your teeth twice a day, floss, and still wind up with bleeding gums when you brush? You could be brushing too hard. If you’ve ever caught yourself going to town on your teeth—like you would a toilet bowl that hadn’t been cleaned in a month—ease up! Removing bacteria and plaque doesn’t require excessively hard scrubbing. In fact, gentle circular motions for a full two minutes will do the trick! So go easy on your pearly whites. Think of proper brushing technique as a nice massage for your teeth: you want them to feel it, but you don’t want them to be in pain.
If you have any questions about proper brushing techniques, feel free to give us a call at (804) 794-4588 to schedule a cleaning. Our expert dental hygienists will take great care of you, and provide all the education you need to be well on your way to a healthier, brighter smile.
