If you brush your teeth twice a day, you likely think that you are doing your oral health a favor. The bad news is that you might not be doing it right, putting your oral health at even higher risk of damage. No matter how many times you brush your teeth a day, if you do not do it right, you could suffer damage, such as gum disease, tooth loss and tooth decay. If you are guilty of any of the following habits, now is the best time to stop.
- Not brushing long enough – Many people worry about brushing their teeth at least twice a day, but they do not worry about the length of time that they brush during each occurrence. If you do not brush for at least 2 minutes, you do not give adequate attention to each area of your mouth, giving acids and bacteria a chance to eat away at your enamel.
- Brushing too hard – Brushing your teeth too hard can damage your teeth rather than help them. When you put too much pressure on the enamel, it can begin to wear away, exposing the dentin beneath it. Brushing too hard can also cause damage to your gums, making them become excessively sensitive, which makes eating and drinking anything hot or cold difficult.
- Brushing at the wrong angle – When you brush properly, you should be holding your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle. This makes it possible to reach every area of every tooth in your mouth. If you restrict your movement to only horizontal movements, you are not getting the entire surface of your teeth, leaving the rest at the risk of tooth decay.