Saturday, July 9, 2011

Avoid Brushing Mistakes and Save Your Teeth!

According to the American Dental Society, most people are unknowingly damaging their teeth and gums when they brush because they are doing it wrong. 

To start, some of us don't brush long enough.  The average person spends less than a minute brushing instead of the recommended two to three minutes to thoroughly clean your teeth.

Another mistake is pressing your brush too hard against your teeth and gums.  This is dangerous because you can be wearing away enamel close to the gum line and exposing your teeth to serious irreparable damage. 

Believe it or not, the amount of toothpaste you put on your brush can be a factor if you are brushing your teeth correctly.  The best amount to use is a pea-size amount instead of loading up your brush with paste. 

Too much paste is especially bad for children because too much fluoride can turn teeth gray.

The type of toothbrush you use can be a mistake if you always use hard stiff bristles.  Buy soft bristle toothbrushes instead and you will more likely protect both enamel and gums from bleeding.

If you are lazy and don't replace that worn out toothbrush, then you can run into problems.  Replace your brush every three months because they can turn porous and become a great home for bacteria, which can lead to gum disease and infection. 

I don't know about you, but I was surprised at the importance of what just a little adjusting of your dental routine can do to safeguard your teeth.  I do hope this information helps you as well!