Brushing Blunders You Should Be Aware Of

You hear all the time that you should brush and floss twice a day. Did you know that you could brush too much or too often? There are various brushing blunders you may accidentally be making, without even knowing about them. Here are four that you need to be aware of, so you can protect your teeth.

1. Brushing With the Wrong Toothbrush

Yes, you really can get the wrong type of toothbrush. The most common one is buying a toothbrush that is far too big for your mouth. If you have to strain to open your mouth wide enough to fit the toothbrush, you need to invest in a smaller brush.

While there are many advertisements promoting electrical toothbrushes, Web MD states that electric and manual are equally beneficial. Whether you choose electric or manual is a matter of personal preference, just make sure you get the right size for your mouth.

2. Using Your Toothbrush for Too Long

Another common mistake is keeping your brush for too long. A toothbrush lasts for about three months, according to Real Men Real Style. After that, the bristles become frayed and broken, so they won't brush your teeth properly. They won't get into all the gaps and your dental floss won't do the whole job properly. There is also the problem of bacteria build-up within your toothbrush after a couple of months.

3. Brushing Too Hard and Too Much

While not brushing long enough is a mistake, brushing too long and too hard are other major blunders you may be making. There is the belief that brushing straight after a meal will help to get rid of the bits of food left over, but you could actually damage the enamel. Your mouth will work away at removing bacteria and food itself, and needs time to do this.

Brushing too hard will also damage the enamel. You also run the risk of causing the gums to recede, and that exposes the roots and makes tooth decay more likely.

4. Starting in the Same Area

Many people get into a routine with tooth brushing. The problem is the same areas are left for last, when you run out of steam and just want the brushing to come to an end. You're less likely to do the work you need to. This will lead to tooth decay and gum disease occurring in certain parts of your mouth, as you won't get rid of all the bacteria and food.

Brushing and flossing twice a day may be the common advice, but you also need to watch out for other mistakes people make. The above are very common, but you can change them to protect your teeth and gums.

Contact a professional like Timothy Richter to learn more.