We live in a compulsive society, one that that easily forms habits —some better than others. Even so, any good habit easily becomes dangerous with overuse. Too much cleaning, too much eating, even too much sleeping eventually becomes detrimental, causing more harm than good. The same is true for simple things like brushing your teeth.
Quality, Not Quantity
Brushing harder and longer does not clean your teeth better, but results in irritating your teeth and gums. Brushing employs a process called abrasion — the scraping or wearing away of a substance. We all know that brushing your teeth removes the plaque and bacteria on your teeth. But get too aggressive and you scrape away some of the protective coating of enamel. Once the enamel is gone, there’s no way to naturally replenish it, and this leads to cavities. At that point, you’ll need the Placerville Dental Group to help fill the void with bonding material.
When brushing, make sure you’re doing the best job you can. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles. Move your brush across your teeth in circular motions. When brushing your gums, hold your brush at an angle of forty-five degrees and continue with circular motions. Make sure the bristles are not squashed against your teeth or gums. Brushing in this fashion is enough to remove plaque and bacteria without removing enamel as well. Two minutes is more than enough time for brushing.
Consider the Toothpaste
Most toothpastes contain some amount of abrasive components to help with removing plaque and bacteria. If you suspect you might be scraping away too much of your teeth, even with a soft-bristled toothbrush, consider changing your chosen toothpaste. Tooth whitening products tend to be the most abrasive toothpastes available, so beware of overuse. Even better, give the Placerville Dental Group a call! With our maintained knowledge of reliable, effective oral hygiene equipment, we can recommend just the right brush and toothpaste for your mouth’s needs.
Too much of a good thing — even brushing your teeth — can turn into a bad thing. Remember that in most cases, moderation is key. However, the circumstances of your case might require special consideration. That’s why it’s important to keep in touch with the Placerville Dental Group and visit us twice a year. Call us or schedule an appointment online, so we can make sure your oral hygiene habits always benefit you.
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