While many of us break into a cold sweat when it comes to visiting a dentist, we also do little to maintain our oral and dental health and cleanliness. And although visiting your dentist every few months is recommended, there are certain things you can do on your own to maintain your dental health. There are certain errors that we make when brushing our teeth; a routine that is frequently a subconscious habit, but one that, if not done properly, can contribute to poor oral health and cleanliness. Scroll down to learn more about these common everyday mistakes.
Failure to use a decent toothbrush
The most common myth of our time is that buying a medium or hard toothbrush would help you clean more effectively. With overzealous care, this can do maximal damage over time by wearing out good, natural teeth.
Consistently using anti-sensitivity/whitening toothpaste
A common blunder is to use medicated toothpaste designed to disguise sensitivity for an extended period. As the primary component in such kinds of toothpaste is for treating sensitivity or lightening tooth color, such a practice conceals the symptom but does not treat the problem. It also leaves you more susceptible to cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. It doesn’t matter what kind of toothpaste you use as long as you use the proper amount and brush twice a day. Toothpaste that provides relief to sensitivity should only be used for a limited duration, and whitening toothpaste should only be used under supervision to avoid potential tooth damage. Toothpaste should preserve your teeth and gums, so choose one that has fluoride to prevent decay and gel-based portions with antibacterial characteristics to avoid gum disease and foul smell.
Brushing too rapidly or too frequently
Most of us despise going to the dentist and prefer to brush our teeth instead. But you can’t sweep away old cavities; you can only prevent new ones. Brush your teeth no more than twice each day. Brushing too hard might harm your gums and enamel. Plaque removal does not require a lot of pressure, so most dentists recommend brushing with balanced pressure.
Improper brushing method
Brushing your teeth should be done in vertical, not horizontal, strokes. Many people are accustomed to using long horizontal brushing strokes. This causes irritability and harm. Brush your gums and teeth with an up and down motion and small strokes while holding your brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums. Avoid using side-to-side strokes. Also, begin brushing in regions that you have previously ignored; reach the inner portions of your teeth.
The sport of wrestling
Brushing too hard harms the gums. Brushing more than 3-4 times a day is also harmful to your dental health. As breaking a negative brushing habit might be difficult, move from a manual to an automatic brush. Brushing with a battery-powered brush eliminates the guessing. It may take some getting used to, but automatic brushes, like so many other things, make dental hygiene easier and even reduce the frequency of your visits to a dentist.