Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard? 5 Bad Brushing Habits

You don’t want to spend another $1000 restoring your dented teeth when you can prevent it from all kinds of tooth decay at a fraction of the expense. Toothbrushing is considered as one of the common habits for maintaining good oral health, but it can also cause damage to the tooth’s enamel when you are brushing your teeth too hard.

Other factors also include physical characteristics of the toothpaste and frequency of brushing. Further studies also show that gum tissue shrinks back as a result of not brushing correctly.

Here are 5 bad brushing habits to avoid in the future.                                           

1.      Improper Brushing Strokes

We were taught how to brush our teeth even as young as 3 years old. These brushing tips include placing our toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums and following the back-and-forth stroke. We often neglect brushing our tongue and inner cheeks which includes roughly 50 percent of bacteria according to the European Journal of Dentistry.

Spit out excess toothpaste and wait for a few minutes before rinsing your mouth to avoid immediate washing of the concentrated fluoride.

2.      Brushing Immediately After Meal

What’s more, brushing your teeth shortly after a meal can be detrimental to your oral health. When we chew our meal, our saliva produces a higher acid level, which allows the acid to infiltrate through the tooth enamel. American Dental Association (ADA) recommends a 60-minute window after eating or drinking before brushing your teeth.

3.       Brushing Less Than the Time Required

Do not hurry. Pause your Netflix and complete a full two minutes brushing your teeth at least two to three times per day. Brush your teeth with your spouse while having a good talk until you get used to the 2-minute cycle.

4.       Using Hard-Bristled Toothbrush

“The harder, the better.” This might not work for your teeth since it can wear away your tooth enamel which protects your teeth from daily use. Brushing your teeth too hard can also cause minor cuts and bruises to your gums. It is best to consult your dentists about what kind of toothbrush best suits you.

5.       Using the Same Toothbrush for More than 4 Months

Dentists recommend changing your toothbrush every 3-4 months since the bristles may not be as effective as before and bacteria might have built up in your toothbrush. Keep it free from pests and insects that could contaminate it by storing it in a sealed container.

Stop brushing your teeth too hard and visit a dentist!

Your journey to having that perfect smile is not far from reality when you start avoiding these 5 bad brushing habits and start following our recommended oral care hacks which you can share with your family and friends.

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