Brushing your teeth may be one of the easiest health habits to have. Not only does it help to keep your mouth clean, teeth sparkling, and your smile beaming white, but it’s also good for your overall health as well. In fact, some studies even suggest that bad brushing habits might be linked to heart disease. But here’s the thing — habits, no matter how noble their purpose, can be performed poorly. And chances are, whether you realize it or not, you’ve probably developed some lousy brushing habits along the way.
At Bloom Dental of Arlington, we know that there’s nothing quite like a dazzling smile to make you look great and feel confident in everything you do. We’re here to help you attain that one-of-a-kind smile, by providing you with everything from oral care tips, to cleanings and teeth whitening services for residents in Ballston and the surrounding areas. Now, let’s take a look at the most common — but sometimes unknown — toothbrushing mistakes, and what you can do to address and correct them.
Using the Wrong Kind of Brush
Don’t use a hard-bristled toothbrush, because they can do damage to your gums. When brushes have hard or even medium bristles, they can actually remove some of the enamel of your teeth, especially if you're brushing too hard. And not only that, but it can also result in sensitive teeth, making it painful to drink extremely cold drinks. Instead, opt for a soft bristled toothbrush. Or, you can go extra soft if you’re so inclined.
Rinsing Your Mouth Out With Water After Brushing
So many people do this out of sheer habit, but it’s not recommended. Sure, you can spit out the excess toothpaste when you're done brushing, but don’t use water because it’ll cut down on the efficacy of the fluoride that’s in your toothpaste. If you still can't resist the urge to rinse your mouth out after you brush, then use mouthwash or some type of mouth rinse that contains fluoride. Additionally, you should always wait at least 30 minutes after you brush to consume food or drinks.
Not Brushing Long Enough
When you're brushing, you need to give the fluoride enough time to adhere to the tooth enamel and do its job of protecting your teeth and promoting overall oral health. The sad fact is, most people don't do this. Actually, the national average hovers somewhere around 45 seconds. This is woefully inadequate. Brush for at least two minutes — twice a day — to reap the true benefits of the fluoride and get in between all the nooks and crannies.
Using Incorrect Technique
The toothbrush should be held at a 45-degree angle to ensure you’re not just cleaning the teeth, but above the gumline as well. This helps to stave off gum disease and avoid discoloration. Additionally, don’t brush your teeth back and forth — use circular strokes instead. This is a more effective approach for cleaning the teeth and the gaps between them. For cleaning behind the front of the bottom and top teeth, use the front half of the brush. Whatever you do, don’t brush so hard that the bristles bend.
Using the Same Toothbrush for Too Long
Many people don't want another brush or simply forget to change their toothbrush until it’s worn down and frayed with half the bristles missing. Don’t be like them. Keep in mind, the average lifespan of a toothbrush is around 200 uses. That’s approximately three months, if you’re brushing as regularly as you should be. After a few months, minuscule food particles and bacteria can begin to accumulate on your brush. As soon as your bristles lose their flexibility, it’s time to change it.
Not Brushing Your Tongue
Your tongue can harbor bacteria and even be the cause of bad breath. At the very least, you should be brushing your tongue as part of your everyday oral health routine. If you want to take it a step further for extra added benefits, consider purchasing a tongue cleaner, which helps to scrape any remaining bacteria off the surface of your tongue.
Looking to get your smile extra clean and sparkling? To schedule an appointment for a professional teeth cleaning or dental veneers in and around the Arlington area , call us today at 732-263-8867.