One of the constant reminders we feed our patients here in our Oakland dentist office is the correct way to brush.
This is, of course, something that people learn from a very young age, but it’s never a bad time for a refresher course.
Something so habitual as toothbrushing can almost become too routine, and doing it autopilot can lead to a lax approach.
With that said, next time you brush, here are three things to look for that might tell you you need to clean up your technique.
1) You can see plaque and tartar.
Yes, this seems obvious, but when was the last time you really took a good look at your teeth? You may be surprised by how much plaque residue you’re missing.
(Flossing will help with this, too. The overlooked art of flossing is a post for the future, and an important one.)
2) Your gums are inflamed.
This is a definite indicator that you’re not flossing enough or correctly, but it can also mean that you’re not massaging your gums enough when you brush.
Brushing your teeth is about the whole interior of the mouth, not just the surfaces of the teeth. Gum health is just as important as the integrity of your teeth. Think about it – with nothing to hold them in place, what good are your teeth?
3) Your toothbrush is wearing out too quickly.
You should only need to replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months. If you find the bristles are wearing out faster than that, you might be brushing too hard, or too often, or even both.
Yes, you can brush too often, and this results in the good bacteria in your mouth not being left to do their job.
As for brushing too hard, it’s simply not necessary, and can wear down the enamel of your teeth.
These are only a few of the tips it’s good to remind yourself of. Next time you’re in our Oakland dentist office, ask fora refresher course on brushing, and we can fill you in on some more.
