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Health & Fitness

Toothbrushing Mistakes to Know About

Many think that by now, after all these years, they have gotten toothbrushing down. While brushing teeth may seem like an easy and routine matter, there are common mistakes that tend to occur! Mistake #1: Picking the wrong toothbrush Dentists at the American Dental Association ask individuals to not forget to consider the size of the mouth. With a toothbrush too big, one will not be able to get to tough to reach areas in the mouth. A general rule of thumb that can be followed is to see if it takes straining to open the mouth wide enough to let the toothbrush in. If that’s the case, the brush may be too large! Another big concern is determining which is the better toothbrush: a manual one or an electronic? The general consensus among doctors is that it’s the individual preference. Dr. Richard H. Price of the American Dental Association explains, “It’s not the toothbrush, it’s the brusher”. What’s important is how well the individual brushes his or her teeth. Dentists believe that a manual toothbrush can do just as well as an electronic toothbrush. Mistake #2: Not brushing long enough Everyone generally knows that the rule is to brush teeth twice a day. However, many people tend to rush through their brushing time and have the mindset that as long as they brushed, everything is okay! However, that is not the case! Brushing should last at least two minutes, and preferably for three minutes. Dentists recommend that the mouth be split into four quadrants, and at least 30 seconds should be spent at each quadrant. Electric toothbrushes also have self-timers that can keep people on track. Another suggested way to brush for enough time is to multi-task: listen to your favorite song or watch a show while you’re at it. It’ll make time fly and your teeth clean. Mistake #3: Brushing too hard Some think that if they really get in there and scrub their teeth, they are most definitely doing their teeth some good. However, brush too vigorous can actually erode tooth enamel! Dentists recommend that individuals brush lightly to avoid erosion of the enamel and irritation of the gums. When choosing bristle type of toothbrushes, doctors also suggest opting for soft bristles. Feel free to contact Drs. Ali & Ali and the caring team at Wellesley Dental Group if you have any thoughts or concerns; they will be happy to answer your questions! Contact us today at 781-237-9071 or smile@wellesleydentalgroup.com References: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/healthy-teeth-10/brushing-teeth-mistakes?page=1 http://www.webmd.boots.com/oral-health/guide/brushing-teeth-mistakes http://healthmagazine.ae/10-tooth-brushing-mistakes/ http://www.prevention.com/health/healthy-living/toothbrush-mistakes-can-damage-enamel

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