The 5 Teeth Brushing Mistakes You Are Making

Proper teeth brushing will reap countless benefits down the road. Not only will it stave off gingivitis, but also guard against bad breath and cavities. Unfortunately, many of us are not brushing our teeth correctly. Teeth brushing, if done wrong, can generate a host of problems. Consider if you are making some of these mistakes when you brush your teeth.

You are brushing too soon

There is a misconception that you need to brush your teeth immediately after a meal. Brushing after a meal is a good practice, but don’t do it right after you eat. Instead, wait about 20 minutes. If you brush too soon, you actually help the acids in your mouth scrub away at your teeth! Also, rinse your mouth before you brush to help rid your mouth of some of those acids leftover from your meal.

You forget the gums

Bacteria love to live where your tooth meets your gum. You want to get your toothbrush about 2 or 3 millimeters right under that gum line. In order for this to happen, you need soft bristles that can bend. Brushing your teeth is actually a full cleaning of your mouth (gums, tongue, and teeth).

You brush the wrong way

When brushing your teeth, do not go from left to right. Instead, use a light circular motion that is more of a massage, not a scrub. If you are brushing too hard and incorrectly, you can create more dental problems (like recession) instead of avoiding them.

You won’t throw your tooth brush away

An old tooth brush is about as effective as a sock with holes: it isn’t doing the job right. If your tooth brush has become bent, discolored, or frayed don’t hesitate to throw it away and get a new one

You are using the wrong tooth brush

When you select your toothbrush, opt for one with soft bristles. This will help stave off recession in the long run. Also, make sure your tooth brush head isn’t too large for your mouth.

Arrange a consultation

To learn more about how to improve your smile this New Year, call Montefiore Medical Center. You can reach in Bronx, New York at 888-700-6623.