Are You Hurting Your Teeth with These Toothbrushing Mistakes?

Everyone knows that brushing your teeth is an important part of keeping your smile happy and healthy. But did you know that if you’re brushing your teeth incorrectly, you may be doing more harm than good? As easy as brushing your teeth seems, there are plenty of little mistakes you could be making to hurt your teeth on a daily basis. Learn how to keep your teeth clean and safe! Here are the most common toothbrushing mistakes your dentist in Hampton wants your to know about and how to fix them!

Picking the Wrong Toothbrush

With so many options available, it may be tempting to just pick a new toothbrush off the shelf at random. However, not all toothbrushes are the same! You should avoid toothbrushes with hard, stiff bristles. These can quickly wear down your enamel, causing your teeth to become weaker, more sensitive, and sometimes even painful. Dental experts agree that you should always use either a manual or electric toothbrush with soft bristles and a Seal of Approval from the American Dental Association.

Brushing too Hard or Too Fast

Since our lives are so busy, it can be easy to rush toothbrushing. Do you ever try to make up for a shortened dental routine by brushing a little harder than normal? Taking shortcuts like these won’t keep your teeth clean or healthy. Plaque is soft and doesn’t require a lot of force to remove, but it does require thoroughness to fully clean out. When you use extra force, you don’t remove any extra plaque, but you can damage your enamel and gums. Make sure you’re gently massaging your teeth and gums with your toothbrush for a full two minutes twice a day.

Holding onto Your Toothbrush Too Long

To keep your mouth healthy, you need to pick the right toothbrush as well as know when to let it go. Once the bristles on your toothbrush become frayed or discolored, they’re no longer removing plaque or bacteria effectively. The American Dental Association recommends that you use a new toothbrush every three months and right after recovering from a cold or sickness.

Only Cleaning Your Teeth

Brushing is about more than those pearly whites! If bacteria is allowed to accumulate on your gumline, it’s likely to cause an infection. This is known as gum disease, a common condition that can cause tooth loss if left untreated. So if you want to keep all of your teeth, don’t forget to brush your gums too!

Don’t accidentally hurt your teeth while you try to keep them clean. Watch out for these common toothbrushing mistakes and keep your smile shining bright every day!

About the Practice

Our experienced team of dentists at Oceanside Family Dental in Hampton, NH is dedicated to providing comfortable and personalized dental care for the whole family. Dr. Neelima Ravi and Dr. Charles R. Braga each have more than 20 years of experience helping people achieve and maintain the smiles they’ve always wanted. At your regular dental checkup, they will happily help you identify any toothbrush mistakes you may be making to keep your smile happy and healthy! They can be contacted through their website or at (603) 926-1551.