I have always been one of those people who loves to get out into the world and talk with other people, but a few years ago, I realized that I had to do something about my smile. My teeth were yellow and unattractive, and it was really discouraging to see how much different my smile was. I knew that I needed to get my teeth fixed, so I started working with a professional dentist to make things right. Within a few short months, my smile was completely transformed, and I knew that I owed it all to my dental professional. Check out this blog for more information about working with a dentist.
Harper Hughes
Brushing one's teeth is something that most people do every day. However, there's a big difference between doing this simple hygiene care the right way and the wrong way. If you're at all concerned about your oral health, read this simple list to find out if you're making one of these mistakes.
Acids
You've probably heard that acid in the food you eat and the beverages you drink can have a negative impact on your teeth. Excessive acid can break down tooth enamel, but that's not all that it does. Before it breaks it down, it first softens it, and that's where problems can begin.
If you brush your teeth after eating, you should give yourself more time to do so after eating anything acidic. This means tomatoes, juice, wine, pickles, and so on. After consuming acids, your tooth enamel temporarily softens, allowing it to be easily damaged. Unfortunately, brushing your teeth can actually be enough to damage them during this period of time. If you need to brush right away, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water first. This will help to loosen and remove excessive acids and start hardening your tooth enamel again.
Pressure
Brushing too hard is terrible for your teeth and your gums. It can injure the soft and delicate tissues of your gums, cause gum recession, and even damage the enamel of your teeth.
When it comes to brushing your teeth, how many times you brush each tooth is more important than brushing hard. Using very light pressure and gently brushing each tooth multiple times will help to loosen plaque and bacteria without damaging your oral health in the process.
Too Much Toothpaste
Lastly, while toothpaste is a great ally in the fight against cavities, too much of a good thing can be bad for you.
Toothpaste is there to help infuse your teeth with fluoride, to provide a pleasant flavor, and in some cases to help kill bacteria responsible for plaque. However, when you use a lot of it, a certain amount of friction is lost between the teeth and the brush bristles. The toothpaste essentially acts as a lubricant. When this happens, your toothbrush isn't as effective at removing stuck-on plaque. As a result, your teeth may not get as clean as they should, and you could develop more tartar than if you used less toothpaste.
For best results, always follow the directions on your toothpaste tube about how much you should use. Most companies will tell you to only use a small dollop; stick with that if in doubt. Brushing your teeth should help you, not hurt you. With these three tips, you'll be back on the road to good oral health when you brush your teeth instead of making matters worse for yourself.
For extra, professional help taking care of your teeth, contact a company that offers dental cleaning near you.