10 Toothbrush Mistakes -- and How to Fix Them Admit it -- brushing your teeth is so second nature you barely think about it. But doing it right is a key part of good oral health, and it can help you avoid cavities and gum disease. Brush up on your skills with these easy-to-follow tips. 1. CHOOSE THE RIGHT TOOL Do you have the right toothbrush? Think about the size of your mouth, it should feel good in your mouth and hand, so you’ll use it often. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends a soft brush. 2. GIVE IT TIME Are you brushing enough? Twice a day is recommended. Three times a day is best, Sesemann says. You should brush for at least 2 minutes. “Most people fall short of the time period,” he says. He suggests you divide your mouth into four sections and spend 30 seconds on each. 3. DONT OVERDO IT Brushing more than three times a day might not be ideal, Sesemann says. Thats because too much brushing can wear down tooth enamel and damage your gums. Also, “don’t bear down too hard,” he says. “Use a lighter touch.” Be gentle. It doesn’t take a lot of force to remove plaque, he says. 4. PERFECT YOUR TECHNIQUE Are you brushing correctly? Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums, and make an up-and-down motion. Use short strokes. Brush outer and inner tooth surfaces, back molars, and your tongue. “Don’t forget about those hard-to-reach areas,” Sesemann says. If you aren’t thorough, plaque has time to sit in your mouth and cause damage. 5. SWITCH THINGS UP Start in a different place so that you dont get lazy, Price says. By the time you get to the last area of your mouth, you may be bored. Stay aware of what you’re doing. “Keep track of where you are going and where you have been. Make it to all the surfaces,” Sesemann says. 6. PICK PRODUCTS WISELY The kind of toothpaste you use matters, he says. The things that brighten or control tartar can be harsh. “An increase in whitening particles can be harmful and sand away tooth structure.” Go back to plain old fluoride toothpaste, he says. If you want to lighten your smile, you can always switch between whitening toothpaste and regular. 7. CONTROL YOUR SOUR TOOTH Energy drinks, DIET sodas, and sour candies -- even healthy things like apple juice, orange juice, and coffee -- have acid that can soften tooth enamel, Sesemann says. If you do go for sour goodies, wait half an hour before you brush. That gives your saliva time to restore tooth enamel. “The mechanical action of brushing softened teeth is the perfect recipe for wearing away enamel,” Sesemann says. 8. KEEP IT CLEAN Do you always rinse your brush? You should. Germs from your mouth and teeth can stay on it if you don’t. It will also get rid of leftover toothpaste that can harden bristles. You shouldn’t use a disinfectant to cleanse your toothbrush. Just rinse it and let it air dry. Dont put it in a case where it will stay damp for a long time. 9. AVOID POTTY MOUTH Most of us store our brushes in the BATHROOM -- not the cleanest place in the house. To keep yours tidy, stand it up in a holder. If you leave it on the counter, you could expose it to germs from your toilet or sink. Don’t let brushes touch each other if they’re stored together. Let it air dry -- a moist brush is more likely to grow bacteria. Use a cover that lets air in when you travel. 10. LET IT GO How old is your toothbrush? The ADA suggests you get a new brush every 3 or 4 months. You can also look at the bristles. Once the bristles lose their normal flexibility and start to break APART, change your toothbrush, Price says. Frayed or broken bristles won’t clean your teeth as well. If you can’t decide which toothbrush to buy, ask your DENTIST what kind is best.
Posted on: Sat, 08 Nov 2014 15:31:20 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015