Toothbrushing mistakes and how to fix them.

Article written by Elite Dental Group

Brushing your teeth is something everyone does at least twice a day. But most people fail to brush their teeth correctly causing damage and in the long run tooth decay. Here are some common brushing mistakes that can be easily adjusted.

Using the wrong brush – A good toothbrush should reach all places that need covering. Ideally, a toothbrush should have soft bristles, which bend easily and reach right under the gum line. Although people think that hard bristles clean better, soft bristles clean as effectively while causing less damage. A good brush can be a power toothbrush or a manual brush as long as its head is big enough to reach your entire mouth.

Too much pressure – Cleaning teeth too hard will only damage your teeth and gums. Avoid the common back and forth motion and instead, massage teeth using a gentle round action.

Too rushed – Rushing the process can mean placing too much pressure while failing to brush the entire mouth. A good brush should last at least 2 minutes. Place a timer on your smartwatch or phone, to make sure you are cleaning your teeth right.

Your brush is too old – If a brush’s bristles are bent, discolored, or dirty, it is time to get rid of it. Dentists recommend changing a toothbrush every 3-4 months.

Brush the gum line – The millimeter of gum line just where a tooth meets the gum, is an important area where food particles get lodged. Gently massage this area every time you brush. Remember if your gums bleed, you are brushing too hard.

The above tips can greatly reduce the damage caused by incorrect brushing techniques and improve the health of teeth and gums.  

Elite Dental Group headed by Dr. Andre Eliasian offers its patients the best dental service in the Glendale, CA area. The clinic is well known for its cosmetic dentistry, wisdom tooth extraction, dental implants, tooth whitening, oral surgery, and more. If you are in Glendale, Burbank or neighboring cities call for an appointment.