Yes, teeth are strong. Teeth are the hardest substance in the human body, and rank higher than iron and steel on the Mohs scale, which measures minerals in terms of hardness. At the same time, your teeth also need daily care coupled with regular dental examinations. When we fail to take care of our teeth, we put them at risk of giving in to damage and decay.
Teeth can break and deteriorate if we don’t brush them regularly, and poor dental hygiene leads to pain, tooth loss, and nasty conditions like periodontitis and jawbone deterioration!.
At the same time, simply brushing your teeth for the sake of brushing might not actually be beneficial at all. There are many ways that we could potentially be damaging our teeth without us knowing, and these five culprits are among the most common tooth brushing pitfalls.
You’re Using the Wrong Brush
Those fancy toothbrushes with thick bristles, bendy parts, and rubber inlays might seem all the rage, but all you need is a soft-bristled toothbrush. Toothbrushes with hard bristles can wear down enamel and harm the gums. With a soft-bristled toothbrush, you can target hard-to-reach areas and achieve a much better clean.
You’re Brushing Too Hard
Most people think that the harder you brush, the better. While this might be true for scrubbing down tiles in your bathroom or kitchen, the same can’t be said for your teeth! Applying too much force could cause you to strip away the delicate enamel covering your teeth which might lead to sensitivity in the long run.
You Brush Too Quickly
A few brushes here and there for a few seconds isn’t enough to clean out a day’s worth of bacteria and food particles. Brushing for a short span of time might save you from being late to work, but it won’t keep your teeth in top condition. By cutting down your brushing time, you effectively miss out on a large number of bacteria that could thrive and multiply throughout the day.
You Don’t Brush Your Tongue
Your tongue is probably the dirtiest part of your mouth. While it’s not a tooth, it’s still needs some brushing. Leaving your tongue out of the routine could allow bacteria to spread throughout your mouth and to your teeth. Consider adding a tongue scraper/cleaner to your daily hygiene routine.
You Don’t Replace Your Toothbrush Regularly
Your toothbrush can and will accumulate bacteria and harmful substances over time. What’s more, the bristles could bend and become inefficient. If you’ve been using the same toothbrush for the past few months, then you probably haven’t been brushing your teeth the right way for a while.
Finally, remember to supplement your daily dental hygiene routine with regular visits to your dentist! Contact The Teal Umbrella to request an appointment.
