Crosby Family Dental

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Dental hygiene tips for healthy teeth & gums

Are You Making These Mistakes When Brushing Your Teeth?

For most of us, brushing out teeth comes as second nature. We hardly even think about it when we’re doing it. As a trusted Huffman dentist, we want everyone to know that brushing correctly is a key part of good oral health, as well as a great way to avoid cavities and gum disease. Today we’re going to help you brush up on your teeth brushing skills with some tips.

  • Firstly, to brush properly you need the right toothbrush. We suggest considering the size of your mouth – if you’re straining to open your mouth wide enough to get your toothbrush in, then the tooth brush is probably too big. A proper toothbrush should feel comfortable in your mouth and hand.
  • Secondly, it’s important to know that you have to give it time. Brush at least twice a day for two minutes each time. Try dividing your mouth into 4 seconds and spend 30 seconds on each second. Most people fall short of the 2 minutes without even realizing.
  • While you should definitely brush twice a day for 2 minutes each time, don’t overdo it, either! If you brush more than three times a day, you’re risking wearing down tooth enamel and causing damage to your gums.
  • Make sure you perfect your technique! If you’re used wide, side-to-side strokes, you may be causing damage to your gum line. Try to hold your brush at a 45 degree angle to your gums and make an up and down motion using shorter strokes. Brush outer and inner tooth surfaces, back molars, and your tongue.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.