Brush Your Teeth – The Right Way!
The importance of brushing is not new information and if asked “Are you brushing properly?” Most would look at you sideways and say “Of course I am!” Surprisingly, many of us are making a host of common mistakes.
Dr. Charchuk and his team at Chinook Mall Family Dental Clinic, want you to get this daily task right! Brushing your teeth isn’t just about moving toothpaste around your mouth, it’s vital to get into all the nooks and crannies to make sure you are removing as much plaque and leftover bits of food as possible.
Here are common mistakes made while brushing:
You are not brushing long enough
It is recommended by most dentists to brush a full 2-3 minutes but very few make it to that. Chances are, whether you are rushing off to work or ready to collapse into bed, you are only brushing for a minute or so. Use a kitchen timer next time or your watch, you’ll see the difference!
You are not paying attention
Make a point to look in the mirror while you brush and see where your brush is actually going. Missing your gum line is easy and it’s one of the most important parts of brushing. Thats where plaque and tartar build up the most. Also, keep a close eye on the back molars if your brush head hits your cheek before you get to them, you could be missing them completely! Paying attention this way increases the chances of noticing arising problems, chips, cracks and areas where your upper and lower teeth might be wearing into one another.
Your technique needs an overhaul
Enamel is made of tightly packed, glass-like rods that extend out towards the surface tooth. When you brush side-to-side, these brittle rods can break, leading to cracks and weakening teeth. Hold your brush so the bristles are at a 45-degree angle to the surface of the teeth and brush in small circles. Focus on your teeth in small sets, moving on to each set, one side to another. Top and bottom, front and back. Brushing in straight lines on the chewing surface is just fine. After completing your circles brush away from the gum line to clear off loosened plaque and bacteria.
You are brushing too hard
Aggressive brushing is traumatic on sensitive gums, causing irritation and recession. And the chances of enamel breakage are increased when you brush too hard. Hard sideways brushing can cause notches near the gum line called abfraction lesions. Remember, you are not scrubbing your teeth, take a more delicate approach, you will still see squeaky clean results!
You are using the wrong brush
It’s a common misconception that hard bristle toothbrushes clean better. Truthfully, they can actually damage your teeth and gums. Hard bristles do remove stains and plaque but they are removing something far more important that you don’t want to lose – your tooth enamel! A good soft toothbrush can get your teeth just as clean, while getting rid of bacteria but harming your enamel. The key with soft toothbrushes is making sure you replace them on a regular basis. It is recommended that you replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months
You forget to floss
Flossing gets between the teeth where brushing cannot reach. Cavities form most often on the surfaces where two teeth touch. Bacteria gets stuck there, leading to eventual tooth decay. This makes flossing a vital part of your brushing routine.
You are not rinsing
Effective brushing and flossing unbind bacteria-laden plaque from the surface of teeth. Rinsing afterward is a key step to make sure that bacteria leave your mouth for good. Swish with germ-killing, alcohol free mouthwash or use a fluoride rinse to strengthen and fortify tooth enamel and prevent cavities. If you don’t have mouthwash, a good rinse and spit with water is better than nothing.
With a proper brushing routine, regular cleanings and checkups, your teeth and gums will stay strong and healthy through the years. Contact us at our South Calgary office for any questions about your daily oral care, to book in for a cleaning or checkup. We look forward to helping keep your smile bright!
