Most people try to do it every day – hopefully at least twice a day, and yet, many individuals may be doing it entirely wrong. What we’re talking about here is brushing your teeth, and you’d be surprised to know exactly how many people are doing it incorrectly.
Recently, Utah news source The Spectrum spoke to dentist Scott Bulloch, who said that he sees dental health concerns pop up every day, even in people who brush regularly. He explained some of the classic mistakes that people make while brushing, and how to correctly clean those pearly whites.
“Tooth brushing is a very complicated memorized movement,” said Bulloch, quoted by the news source. “Just about everybody does it exactly the same way every time. If we’re not very careful, we can brush and miss the same places every time, especially if we brush too quickly.”
First, the dental expert recommends using an electric toothbrush to ensure that you are getting as thorough of a cleaning as possible. He stated that these tools are particularly useful in getting hard-to-reach spots without using too much pressure.
If you prefer a regular brush, Bulloch said that you should use one with soft bristles and not push down too hard, which can damage the gums. He added that aggressive brushing can cause many dental problems, as can using harsh toothpastes, baking soda and hard-bristled brushes.
WebMD states that you should be brushing two to three teeth at a time using a small circular or back and forth motion, at a 45-degree angle to the gum line. The medical website added that you shouldn’t just brush the front surface of your teeth, but the back as well. Also, flossing can help you reach difficult places in your mouth, where food particles get caught and eventually develop into cavities.
Bulloch added that the best way to make sure that you’re getting it right when you brush is to talk to your local dentist.
“Most people should visit the dentist every six months,” he said, quoted by The Spectrum. “If you have dry mouth, medications that affect your teeth or other issues, you may need to go more frequently – possibly every three months. If you see a dentist fairly often, you can minimize how far a cavity goes.”