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Posted on 10/20/2017 by Dr. Kelsey Ullsmith |
When brushing your teeth, do you ever notice that the bristles of your teeth sometimes bend? If so, that is a sign you need to pay attention to. If you never noticed, pay attention the next time you find yourself brushing your teeth.
Your bristles should be straight, and not bending when you brush. If they do bend, it is a sign that you are brushing too hard. This is a problem not only for your teeth, but also the rest of the tissues of your mouth. How to Brush ProperlyWhen you brush, you need to pay attention to a lot of different things. First, you need to make sure you are using enough toothpaste. It should be slightly larger than pea size, and cover the surface of your toothbrush. Second, you need to brush long enough. You need to brush for a full two minutes each time. Timing it out for a few times can sometimes make that a bit easier. Third, you need to make sure that you are using the right amount of force when you brush. This means brushing hard enough to get your teeth clean, but not so hard that you are bending the bristles back and forth as you brush. They should remain largely straight with each brush. Finally, you should make sure that you brush each surface of your mouth. This includes your teeth, gums, tongue, and the roof of your mouth. Do not forget any of the areas of your mouth, or you could leave your mouth open to tooth decay. If you are not sure if you are brushing too hard, or not hard enough, ask us at your next appointment. We will gladly talk with you about your brushing habits to make sure you have the healthiest mouth possible. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call us at (360) 647-1715 today. |