Common Tooth Brushing Mistakes: Are You Doing It Right?

In today’s world, brushing your teeth has become a daily routine for most people. People, however, are not aware of the fact that they might be doing it in ways that jeopardize oral hygiene. This blog post covers common mistakes many people make about brushing their teeth and helps you find out if you’re really doing it right. For those that are in the Mt Vernon region, we will also speak about how to find the best dentist in Mt Vernon, NY, and how dental care in Mt Vernon, NY, especially at Aurora Smiles, can improve your oral health.

Brushing Your Teeth Properly

Let me first explain why proper brushing is essential. Brushing happens to be the most common aspect of oral hygiene, and it is done with the purpose of removing plaque—a thin layer of bacteria that adheres to your teeth. When plaque sits on your teeth for a long time, it becomes tartar and eventually causes cavities and gum problems. Proper brushing maintains proper health of the mouth, prevents bad breath, and even advances the person’s general health. Here are some common mistakes that might compromise these benefits.

1. Brushing for Too Short a Time
   The most common mistake is brushing for a short period. The American Dental Association usually recommends two minutes of brushing twice daily. Most people brush their teeth for 30 seconds to a minute, which is just not enough time to have plaque removed effectively.
   Solution: Use a timer, or play a song for two minutes while brushing to make sure you hit that mark. Divide your mouth up into quadrants, making it a little easier by spending 30 seconds on each one of those quadrants.
2. Brushing With the Wrong Technique
   Most individuals brush their teeth too hard, assuming that this will be a more effective way of cleaning them. However, frequent grinding might damage the gums and enamel. That’s best done using soft round movements rather than brushing back and forth.
   Solution: Position your toothbrush at an angle of 45 degrees from your gums. You should brush each of your teeth with gentle soft round movements. Avoid hard rubbing since this is likely to cause abrasions while trying to clean your teeth.
3. Using the Wrong Toothbrush
   Not all toothbrushes are the same. Many people assume that a hard-bristled brush will clean better, which does not have to be true. This can be the case for some, but it can harm your gums and start wearing away enamel. A soft-bristled toothbrush is, in fact, recommended as the best way to clean your teeth without harming your gums.
   Solution: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush that feels comfortable in your hand. You might also find an electric toothbrush, which does an excellent job of offering uniform pressure and, sometimes, timers.
4. Forgetfulness about the Tongue
   Dentists usually forget to clean their tongue, but a dirty tongue is mostly a host to bacteria that will make a patient’s breath stinky. Most people brush their teeth and forget to brush their tongue.
   Solution: Brush your tongue or use the scrapers you can get in the dental stores gently after you have brushed your teeth to keep less bacteria and fresh breath.
5. Forgetting to Replace Your Toothbrush
   Another common mistake is holding your brush for too long. Gradually, its bristles may fray and begin to lose their effectiveness in cleaning teeth. The ADA suggests changing the toothbrush at least every three to four months or sooner if the bristles are worn.
   Solution: Place a reminder on your cell phone to replace your toothbrush after three months. You can then be ensured of having a clean toothbrush and, therefore, an effective instrument for maintaining hygiene in your mouth at all times.
6. Brushing Shortly After You Have Eaten
   Most people brush after eating, hoping that this will remove particles and sugar from your teeth. In truth, brushing immediately after you eat, especially after consuming acidic foods, irritates your enamel because it has been loosened temporarily after you have eaten.
   Solution: Don’t brush for at least 30 minutes after you’ve eaten. That lets the saliva in your mouth neutralize acids and set your enamel back together again, making the brushing process both safer and more effective.
7. Neglecting Other Areas of Your Mouth
   Brushing the teeth alone is not enough to ensure one has good oral health. They forget to brush the gums and the insides of their teeth, which form plaque easily.
   Solution: Clean all surfaces of your teeth, inside, chewing, and along the gum line. Secondly, floss every day to remove plaque and food pieces stuck between your teeth.
8. Dental Check-Ups
   Even if you brush and floss on a regular basis, you should regularly visit a dental professional for cleanings and appointments. Some oral conditions can only be diagnosed through a professional evaluation.
   Solution: Regular dental visits at a reputable dentist in Mt Vernon, NY. At Aurora Smiles, we aim to have your teeth and gums at their optimal best and provide specific dental care treatment in Mt Vernon, NY.
9. Brushing in the Same Manner as Your Childhood
   As you grow older, so will your oral health needs. Remaining in the same brushing habit and technique and not adapting according to your present requirement can cause problems later on.
   Solution: Discuss your brushing technique and any oral health change-over with your dentist to provide suggestions based on your circumstances.
10. Lack of Caution Over Your Overall Oral Care Habit
    Brushing is just one aspect of oral hygiene habit. Others may not pay heed to other important aspects, including flossing and mouthwash use, to provide the best oral hygiene practice.

Solution: Balancing sound oral care including brushing, flossing, and mouthwash to clean will involve providing it with water. A multi-pronged attack to the mouth bacteria and plaques with this approach.

Conclusion: Take Responsibility for Oral Health

Good brushing of your teeth is aimed at preserving a healthy smile and therefore proper defense against other dental problems. You can greatly enhance your dental health if you avoid the general mistakes of brushing and receive dental care treatment from professionals. Call Dr. Amul Patel at Aurora Smiles for an evaluation of your brushing technique or dental treatment in Mt. Vernon, NY. A smile begins with good habits and regular care!