You probably are already well aware of the importance of brushing your teeth in Mesa, AZ, at least twice a day, and you stick to this routine to keep your mouth healthy. If you are not using the proper technique, however, you may not be doing as good a job as you believe. Below are a couple of ways that you may be brushing your teeth incorrectly.

1. Using Too Much Pressure

While brushing your teeth, you may press down hard on the toothbrush, placing a lot of pressure on the bristles so that they remove all of the food, tartar, and plaque. You may believe that the harder you push down on the brush, the cleaner your teeth will be when you are finished.

However, putting too much pressure on your toothbrush may actually be doing more harm than good. As you push hard on the brush, the bristles may cause micro-abrasions on your teeth’s enamel, as well as scratch your gums. This type of damage can leave your teeth and gums open to bacteria, which will prove detrimental to your overall oral health.

Instead of pressing down hard on your toothbrush, use small, circular motions with the brush while maintaining light to moderate pressure. The circular motions will have a scrubbing effect, allowing you to thoroughly clean your teeth and gums without harming them.

2. Brushing Your Teeth Too Quickly

Another mistake you may be making while brushing your teeth is that you are performing the task too quickly. You may take a quick swipe over the surfaces of the teeth and believe that it is sufficient for keeping your mouth clean.

However, if you are only making a quick pass over your teeth with your toothbrush, you are probably not getting all of the food particles, tartar buildup, and plaque that you should be. Always strive to spend at least two to three minutes brushing your teeth, making sure that you cover the back surfaces and not just the front and tops of your teeth.

Brushing two or three times a day is a crucial part of keeping your teeth clean and healthy. However, if you are not brushing your teeth properly, you are putting your oral health at risk. Make an appointment with us at Mesa Dental to have your teeth professionally cleaned and have us show you proper brushing techniques.