3 Common Brushing Mistakes

Brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of decay, cavities, tooth discoloration, bad breath, and gum disease. To help you get optimal protection from brushing your teeth, we’ve rounded up several common mistakes people make with their at-home oral hygiene routine.

1. Brushing Too Vigorously

We understand our patients and their families are busy people. However, cutting corners now with your oral hygiene routine will only cost you more time, stress, and money down the road. If you vigorously brush with extra pressure to finish quicker, you are doing more damage than good. Vigorous brushing will damage your enamel and irritate your gums, leading increased tooth sensitivity and gum recession. Instead of rushing with aggressive sawing motions, gently brush for a full two minutes twice each day to promote healthy gums and strong teeth.

2. Not Using Soft Bristles

Next time you buy a toothbrush, double check that you buy one with soft bristles. While you may think that medium or firm bristles will give you a better clean, that’s not the case. Harder bristles will scrape away at your enamel and irritate your gums, the same problems that vigorous brushing can cause. In fact, these bristles will do even more damage when combined with excessive pressure! Instead, reach for a manual or electric toothbrush with soft bristles that won’t damage your teeth with gentle pressure.

3. Forgetting to Replace Your Toothbrush

We recommend replacing your toothbrush every three to four months, or earlier if it shows signs of fraying or if you’ve been sick. Using the same toothbrush for much longer won’t deliver the same degree of clean because its bristles are less effective, and could even be harboring harmful bacteria. Regularly replace your toothbrush to maximize your brushing time!

Brush & Floss Every Day

If you’re only brushing your teeth without incorporating flossing, you’re making another oral hygiene mistake. Flossing will remove food particles and plaque from the 40% of your tooth’s surface that a toothbrush can’t reach. Whether you’re partial to floss picks, standard string floss, or a water flosser, find a way to floss every day.

No matter your age, daily brushing and flossing will set you up for a lifetime of healthy teeth. To ask our team any questions about improving your oral hygiene routine, or to schedule an appointment, contact us today.