It’s not exactly a newsflash that one of the most important reasons
to brush your teeth is to fight off cavities (not to mention prevent bad
breath). But what if the way you brush your teeth actually makes you more susceptible to cavities, tooth decay and gum disease? Scary.
The 8 mistakes in brushing is pointed out by Dr. Oz...as follows:
1.) You don’t brush for long enough.
Most people don’t spend nearly enough time brushing their teeth,
notes prosthodontist Michael Lenchner. Most dentists recommend brushing
for two or three minutes, but few people ever make it to that. Next
time, check your watch see how long your routine takes.
Chances are, whether you’re rushing to get to work or ready to
collapse into bed, you’re only brushing for a minute or so. To go the
distance, bring an egg timer into the bathroom and set it for two or
three minutes before you get started, or use an electric toothbrush with
a two-minute timer.
2.) You’re not watching what you’re doing.
Make a point to look in the mirror while you brush your teeth and see
where the brush is actually going. It’s easy to miss the area right at
the gum line, which is the most important part. That’s where plaque,
tartar and bacteria can build up, which cause the gums to become
inflamed and infected (aka gingivitis). Also keep a close eye on the
back molars. If the brush head hits your cheek before you get to them
you could miss them completely. Bonus: Paying better attention to your
chompers will increase the likelihood that you’ll notice if something is
awry, like chips, cracks or “bruxisms,” which are cupped out or overly
shiny areas where your upper and lower teeth might be wearing into one
another. Wearing away can also be a sign of TMJ problems, clenching or
sleep apnea. Mention any unusual observations at your next dentist
appointment.
3.) Your technique needs a major makeover.
Enamel is made of tightly packed, glass-like rods that extend out
toward the surface of the tooth. When you brush side-to-side, these
brittle rods can break, leading to cracks and weakening teeth. Dr.
Lenchner likens it to sawing down a tree. Remember: Teeth are not trees.
Hold the brush so the bristles are at a 45-degree angle to the surface
of the teeth and brush in small circles. Focus on a few teeth at once,
then move on to the next set, continuing around from one side to the
other, top and bottom, front and back. It’s okay to brush in straight
lines on the chewing surfaces. After completing your circles, brush away
from the gum line to clear off loosened plaque and bacteria.
4.) You’re brushing too hard.
The chances of enamel breakage are greater when you brush too hard.
And if you have a tendency to clench or grind, the stakes get even
higher. Those habits combined with hard sideways brushing can cause
notches near the gum line called abfraction lesions. With continued
pressure, they can deepen into the tooth’s inner dentin and cementum
layers. What’s more, aggressive brushing can be traumatic for sensitive
gums, causing irritation and recession.
5.) You’re using the wrong brush.
Be sure to buy soft or ultrasoft brushes to minimize damage. Lenchner
warns, though, that even soft bristled toothbrushes can cause abrasions
if used incorrectly. If you have a water pick, keep it on the lowest
setting, even if it doesn’t feel like it’s doing much. Anything higher
can erode your gum line. If your dentist gives you a special brush for
cleaning implants or crowns, only use it as directed so you don’t
disrupt proper gum growth.
As horrifying as it may sound, your toothbrush can be a veritable
haven for germs, including strep and staph. You should replace a regular
toothbrush every three months—sooner if the bristles look worn, frayed
and bent. Over time, the bristles get damaged, like split ends in your
hair, and bacteria nestle in those tiny tears. To minimize germs’
day-to-day growth, rinse your brush with hot water after use and allow
it to dry completely.
6.) You have the wrong toothpaste.
Baking soda toothpastes are good at getting stains out because they
are abrasive—but that also means they’re hard on enamel. It’s a
trade-off that might not be worth it. As for whitening toothpastes,
Lenchner says that to his knowledge they don’t hurt your teeth.
7.) You’re failing at flossing.
Flossing gets between your teeth where toothbrushes can’t reach.
Cavities form most often on the surfaces where two teeth touch. Bacteria
get stuck there, feed off the sugars from food particles, colonize and
produce chemicals that eat away at enamel and can work into the soft
layer of dentin underneath. This can eventually lead to tooth decay. In
other words, as odious as it may be, flossing isn’t optional—and it’s
the best way to keep these cavity-creating colonies at bay.
Start with a full foot of floss, twirling the ends around the middle
finger on each hand. Use your thumb and forefinger to gently work the
floss between two teeth, being careful not to pull it roughly or saw it
back and forth, both of which can injure the gum. Wrap the floss around
one tooth and wipe up and down to loosen and remove plaque. Then do the
same on the next tooth and repeat.
Once you’ve got the correct flossing technique down, you don’t have
to do it standing at the sink, notes Lenchner. You might try flossing in
front of the TV to make it feel like less of a chore.
8.) You don’t rinse after.
Effective brushing and flossing unbind bacteria-laden plaque from the
surface of teeth. Rinsing afterward is a key step to make sure that
bacteria leave your mouth for good. Swish with a germ-killing,
alcohol-free mouthwash. Or use a fluoride rinse to strengthen and
fortify tooth enamel and prevent cavities. If you don’t have mouthwash, a
good rinse-and-spit with water is better than nothing.
