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.
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.
Starting in the Same Place Each Time
Many people start brushing the same part of their mouth over and over, dentists find.
“Start in a different place so that you don’t get lazy in the same area of your mouth,” says Price. He reasons that by the time you get to the last quadrant of your mouth, you’re bored with brushing.
Skipping Inner Tooth Surfaces
Most people forget to brush the inner surfaces of teeth — the surface that your tongue presses against.
“The plaque you can’t see is just as important to remove as the plaque you can see,” says Price.
The most commonly skipped area, dentists say, is the inner surface of the lower front teeth.
Not Following Up With a Rinse
Bacteria can grow on an un-rinsed toothbrush. Then, the next time you brush your teeth, you may actually put old bacteria back in your mouth, says Laurence Rifkin, DDS, a dentist in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Rinsing the toothbrush after you brush will help remove any leftover toothpaste, too.
Not Letting the Toothbrush Dry
“If you have a toothbrush that’s perpetually moist, it will cultivate more bacteria,” says Sesemann.
“If the bristles stay soggy, you can misshape them as you use the brush,” Price says. “Or it might be a breeding ground for bacteria.”
It’s a good idea to shake out the moisture, then recap it with a cap that allows air in, he says.
Not Changing the Toothbrush Often Enough
The American Dental Association recommends getting a new brush every three or four months, or even sooner if the bristles look frayed.
But rather than go by a strict timeline, Price says a visual inspection of the bristles is better. “Once the bristles lose their normal flexibility and start to break apart, change your toothbrush,” he says.
“Look more at the state of the bristles than the time period,” he says.
Some brushes have colored indicators that alert you when they need replacing, says Price.
Smith Brauer Dentistry
Dentist Indianapolis
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