Four Brushing Mistakes You Are Probably Making

Brushing your teeth seems like an elementary part of oral hygiene. It's true that even a three-year old can do it, but did you know that one in 10 people are doing it wrong? Incorrect brushing technique means that teeth are not getting properly cleaned of plaque, bacteria, germs and residue. As a result, people are still experiencing tooth decay in spite of what they think are good dental habits. Swedish researchers note there is a clear difference between brushing to feel clean and brushing to prevent tooth decay.

Scrubbing aggressively with a hard-bristled brush isn't the easy answer. The American Dental Hygienists Association advises that tooth brushes should be made of soft nylon, with round-ended bristles that will clean without scratching. Although 'hard' or 'medium' bristles are sold in stores, most dentists recommend nothing harder than a soft bristle to protect gums. Hard bristles or very hard scrubbing can erode dentin and enamel, two components that protect the nerves inside teeth. When these erode, you will most likely feel pain and get more cavities. Neither dentin nor enamel can be replaced. Brushing may seem like a simple process, but skipping steps or using incorrect technique can mean more problems with your teeth. See the proper technique for brushing and common mistakes people do after the cut....
Proper Technique

*.Place toothbrush bristles along the gum line at a 45 degree angle so the brush touches both the gum line and the teeth.

*.Brush all outer teeth using a gentle circular motion, not a back-and-forth scrubbing.

*.Brush only 2-3 teeth at a time. Clean well before moving to another 2-3 teeth, then proceed to do the same to the inside of teeth

*.Using the upper portion of the brush's head, tilt it to brush vertically using up and down strokes to clean the back side of the top and bottom front teeth.

*.Clean the biting surface of the teeth using a back and forth scrubbing motion.

*.Brush your tongue last.

Mistakes You May Be Making

Even if you think you're using good tooth brushing technique, you may still have room for improvement. Did you know that even though most people change their tooth brushes every six months, experts recommend you get a new one every three months? According to research, thousands of microbes grow on toothbrush bristles and handles. While some are harmless, others may cause viruses that lead to the cold or flu, the herpes virus that causes cold sores, and bacteria that can lead to dangerous mouth infections. Mouth infections stemming from poor tooth brushing can have affects on the entire body.
Pregnant women, especially, are encouraged to brush with a super-clean brush and use proper technique to avoid complications in pregnancy. Use this checklist to see if you're making the common mistakes most people make:

*Using the wrong toothbrush: Your toothbrush should match the size of your mouth and you shouldn't strain to fit one in. You may need to get a smaller one. As for the electric versus manual debate? Dentists feel it's more a matter of good technique and personal preference.

*Your bristles are too rigid: As mentioned, bristles should be soft, not hard in order to keep dentin and enamel intact. Without them, your teeth will be vulnerable and you will most likely experience increased cavities and tooth pain. Brushing too hard will cause the same problems.

*You are going too fast: Twice a day is acceptable, three times a day is better, according to dentists. Each session should last two to three minutes. Having a hard time sticking to two minutes? Get a toothbrush with a timer to hold you accountable.

*Poor toothbrush maintenance Tooth brushes should be allowed time to fully dry out between brushing because a moist one can cultivate bacteria, which you then put into your mouth. Finish each session by rinsing your toothbrush very well and letting it completely air dry before brushing again.

Now you can work your way to that CloseUp smile