Are Your Brushing Habits Causing More Harm than Good?

Are Your Brushing Habits Causing More Harm than Good? 

We all know that brushing your teeth is an essential part of our daily hygiene routines. But few may have considered the potential harm of tooth brushing. 

Enamel Damage

Some toothbrushes are manufactured with excessively hard bristles. When used with even moderate pressure, these brushes will wear grooves in the enamel. Over time these grooves may even out slightly, but their presence allows for easier staining and bacterial access to the sensitive dentin beneath them. 
Avoid these brushes and instead choose an adequately dense toothbrush. The brush should feel gentle on both tooth and gum and bend with pressure. 

Over-Brushing 

It’s not necessary to brush your teeth more than twice per day. A morning brush to remove overnight bacteria and freshen up, and a bedtime brush and floss to clear the day’s debris is sufficient. Some people choose to brush their teeth after each meal- something that is largely unnecessary. Instead, opt for a floss and mouthwash for a fresh feeling in between brushing.

Timing 

There are some highly inopportune times to brush the teeth. After consuming acidic foods, like orange juice or fruits, the enamel is weakened. Brushing too soon after coming into contact with these foods will damage the enamel. Wait at least a half hour to brush your teeth after consuming highly acidic foods, such as citrus fruit, tomatoes, and sodas. Rinse with water or mouthwash to avoid prolonged contact with harmful acid. 

It is Highly Unlikely that Your Brushing is Bad

Most people’s brushing habits fall well within the normal parameters of healthy brushing. Avoid the aforementioned bad habits and enjoy optimal oral health for years to come.

For more oral health care tips, continue to browse the website of Dr. Ruiz and Associates. We offer preventive oral health care services in our Burbank dental practice to keep our patients’ smiles healthy. If you have further questions about oral health care or the services we provide, please feel free to give us a call. Dr. Ruiz looks forward to working with you!