Some of us do some
mestakes when they brush they teeth; let's see most five populare mistakes
Consider the size of your mouth when picking a toothbrush, says
Richard H. Price, DMD, the consumer advisor for the American Dental
Association. "If you are straining to open wide enough to let the brush
in, the brush is probably too big," he says.
''The handle has to be comfortable," he says. It should feel as
comfortable as holding a fork when you eat.
"The more comfortable it is in your mouth and your hand, then
the more likely you will use it and use it properly," he says.
Which is the better toothbrush: Electric or manual?
"It's an individual preference," says Michael Sesemann,
DDS, president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and an Omaha
dentist. "A person who brushes well with a manual will do as well as
a person who brushes well with an electric."
Price agrees. "It's not the toothbrush, it's the brusher."
Toothbrushing
Mistake No. 2: Not Picking the Right Bristles
Some toothbrushes have angled bristles, others straight. So is one
type better? Dentists say no.
''It's more related to technique than the way the bristles come
out," says Sesemann.
What is important when buying a toothbrush? Bristles that are too
stiff can aggravate the gums. The ADA recommends a soft-bristled brush.
''Bristles should be sturdy enough to remove plaque but not hard
enough to damage [the teeth] when used properly," says Price. He doesn't
recommend "natural" bristles such as those made from animal hair or
boar bristle.
Toothbrushing
Mistake No. 3: Not Brushing Often Enough or Long Enough
Softly brushing your teeth at least twice a day is recommended.
''Three times a day is best," says Sesemann.
With too much time between brushings, he says, bacterial plaque will
build up, boosting the risk of gum inflammation and other problems.
Brushing should last at least two minutes, says Sesemann. Three
minutes is even better, says Price.
Most people fall short of both time lines, says Sesemann. "It's
an arbitrary number, but it's just so people take the time to clean all the
surfaces." He often recommends people divide the mouth into quadrants and
spend 30 seconds a quadrant. Some electric toothbrushes include built-in
timers.
To make the two minutes go faster, Sesemann says he ''multitasks,''
fitting in a little TV viewing as he brushes.
Toothbrushing
Mistake No. 4: Brushing Too Often or Too Hard
While brushing your teeth three times a day is ideal, more may not
be, says Sesemann. "More than four toothbrushings a day would begin to
seem compulsive."
Excessive brushing could expose the root of the tooth to irritation,
and that could in turn irritate the gums. Brushing vigorously can also erode
tooth enamel. The trick is to brush very gently for two to three minutes.
Toothbrushing
Mistake No. 5: Not Brushing Correctly
''Long horizontal strokes along the gumline can lead to
abrasions," says Sesemann. "Aim your bristles at the gum line at a
45-degree angle and do short strokes or vibrations." Softly brush up and
down your teeth, not across your teeth. The strokes should be vertical or
circular, not horizontal.
Be sure to brush outer and inner tooth surfaces, the chewing
surfaces, and your tongue.