{"id":22,"date":"2019-09-09T11:24:37","date_gmt":"2019-09-09T11:24:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dhillonfamilydental.com\/blog\/?p=22"},"modified":"2019-10-09T11:26:29","modified_gmt":"2019-10-09T11:26:29","slug":"bad-brushing-habits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dhillonfamilydental.com\/blog\/2019\/09\/09\/bad-brushing-habits\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Bad Brushing Habits That Could be Hurting Your Teeth and Gums"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-23\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dhillonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/brushing_teeth_1___1531324829_92088-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"young attractive woman smiling brushing teeth\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dhillonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/brushing_teeth_1___1531324829_92088-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.dhillonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/brushing_teeth_1___1531324829_92088-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.dhillonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/brushing_teeth_1___1531324829_92088.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>If you make it a habit to brush your teeth at least two times a day, then kudos to you. However, bad brushing habits can negate the positive benefits that would normally come along with regularly performing oral hygiene. A local dentist says that typically only a few minor adjustments need to be made to elevate your toothbrushing\u2019s effectiveness in a safe manner. As you continue reading, learn about 5 bad habits to correct so you can enjoy the absolute best in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dhillonfamilydental.com\/dental-cleanings-exams.html\">dental health<\/a>!<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<h2>#1 \u2013 You Brush Too Hard<\/h2>\n<p>While it may seem logical to apply more pressure when brushing your teeth to ensure their cleanliness, it can actually be detrimental in a couple of ways. For starters, the enamel (the hard, outer layer of the teeth) is not infallible. Thus, vigorous toothbrushing can damage it, which is significant given that the human body can\u2019t regenerate the calculus material that forms the enamel.<\/p>\n<p>Another issue associated with aggressive toothbrushing is gum irritation. This can result in bleeding, discomfort and gum tissue damage. Thankfully, these tips will help to prevent any of these problems from arising:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Use careful pressure when brushing.<\/li>\n<li>To thoroughly clean your teeth, brush for around two minutes.<\/li>\n<li>Hold the toothbrush properly when brushing (flat for chewing and outside surfaces, vertical for inner surfaces)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>#2 \u2013 You Use Hard Bristles<\/h2>\n<p>A hard-bristled toothbrush can possibly be problematic. Just like vigorous toothbrushing, it can lead to enamel and gum damage due to the combination of the abrasives that are usually contained in toothpaste and the firm bristles.<\/p>\n<p>A remedy, then, is to purchase a toothbrush with soft bristles. By following how the dentist says to brush your teeth, you can rest assured that your ivories will be well-protected.<\/p>\n<h2>#3 \u2013 You Keep Your Toothbrush Past Its Expiration Date<\/h2>\n<p>Just like anything else in life, there is a limit to how long a toothbrush can be used. Dentists typically recommend replacing a toothbrush every 60-90 days to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria that could compromise your oral health.<\/p>\n<p>However, if you\u2019ve suffered from a sickness like a common cold or the flu, it\u2019s best to replace the toothbrush immediately to prevent any re-contamination that could make you sick in the future.<\/p>\n<h2>#4 \u2013 You Brush Too Soon After Eating a Meal<\/h2>\n<p>There\u2019s no denying the fact that it\u2019s important to brush your teeth after consuming food or beverages other than water. That\u2019s because the leftover particles, if not removed, can contribute to tooth and gum decay.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s still important to know, though, when it\u2019s safe to brush your teeth. As a general \u201crule of thumb,\u201d you should wait around 30 minutes to brush your teeth after a meal. This allows time for your saliva to neutralize the acids released from what you\u2019ve consumed, and to prevent any unwanted enamel damage.<\/p>\n<h2>#5 \u2013 You Don\u2019t Clean Your Tongue<\/h2>\n<p>When it comes to the structure of your mouth, to use a sports analogy, the tongue could be considered a \u201cfree agent.\u201d It can roam wherever it wants, making contact with your teeth and all the different areas of your mouth. Because of its mobility, the tongue, if not cleaned properly, can contribute to the demise of your oral health by carrying debris to other parts of your mouth.<\/p>\n<p>To prevent this from happening, be sure to clean your tongue with your toothbrush after you\u2019re done with your teeth. You may also consider using a tongue scraper, which is an apparatus that\u2019s designed to glide over your tongue to free up anything trapped between the bumpy papillae.<\/p>\n<p>Now that you\u2019re aware of some of the potential pitfalls when cleaning your teeth, you can make the necessary improvements. For further help with maintaining a healthy and beautiful smile, contact your local dentist to schedule a visit today!<\/p>\n<p><strong>About the Author<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A graduate of Boston University, Dr. Navkiran Dhillon has been helping patients experience excellent dental health for over a decade. Still eager to expand her knowledge, she takes continuing education courses and maintains professional affiliation with such organizations as the Academy of General Dentistry and the Spear Faculty Club. Dr. Dhillon provides top-notch dental care at Dhillon Family &amp; Cosmetic Dentistry, and she can be reached for more information through her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dhillonfamilydental.com\/contact.html\">website<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you make it a habit to brush your teeth at least two times a day, then kudos to you. However, bad brushing habits can negate the positive benefits that would normally come along with regularly performing oral hygiene. A local dentist says that typically only a few minor adjustments need to be made to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>5 Bad Brushing Habits That Could be Hurting Your Teeth and Gums<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Although dental hygiene is of the utmost importance, these 5 bad brushing habits can potentially harm your oral health. 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