By the time you’re old enough to read this sentence, brushing your teeth has likely become such a routine part of your day that you scarcely give it a second thought. We are all familiar with the parental haranguing and conventional advice that surrounds this daily ritual. However, there’s a bit more to brushing your teeth than first meets the mouth, and Leikin & Baylin Dental Care of Catonsville is here with a few precautions against common brushing mistakes that can ultimately damage your teeth.
Avoid using the Wrong Brush
While choosing a toothbrush might seem relatively straightforward, the fact is that the most common brushing mistake is choosing the wrong tool. A good toothbrush should fit squarely in the palm of your hand and be easy to grip. When brushing your teeth the toothbrush should easily fit inside your mouth and the bristles should soft enough to avoid causing pain but hard enough to effectively remove plaque. Electric toothbrushes are not necessarily better, but they do make it easier to do a thorough job, especially for those with wrist or arm impairments.
Take Time
Don’t cut yourself off too quick. When brushing your teeth give yourself a solid two minutes to get the job done. Try dividing your mouth into imaginary quadrants and spending 30 seconds on each section to be thorough. Make sure to brush at least twice a day, preferably three times. However, it’s important to not overdo it either. Brushing more than 3 times a day or for longer 2 minutes can wear down tooth enamel and damage gums.
Use Proper Technique
When brushing your teeth it is important to hold your brush at a 45 degree angle, and gently stroke up and down with short, brisk motions. Make sure you’re hitting outer and inner tooth areas, as well as molars and your tongue for a full cleaning. After you’ve finished thoroughly rinse your brush to dispose of plaque and germs.
Nix Fancy Toothpastes
While whitening and tartar control toothpastes have their uses, they shouldn’t be your de-facto option wither. Many consumers make the easy brushing mistake of relying too heavily on these specialty pastes, which can sand away tooth structure. Plain old fluoride toothpaste will do just fine for brushing your teeth until your teeth need whitening again.
Contact the #1 Catonsville Dentist
Using these tips to avoid brushing mistakes should keep your teeth in tip top shape and make dental appointments a breeze. If you’re looking for a Catonsville dentist who can provide you with even more brushing information, routine care, sedation dentistry, and host of other dental services while maintain an unmatched commitment to quality, contact Leikin & Baylin Dental Care of Catonsville, Maryland by calling 410-747-1115 or visiting CatonsvilleDentalCare.com.
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