This three-part article series explains the 10 mistakes people commonly make when brushing their teeth or choosing the appropriate healthcare appliances.

You’ve been brushing your teeth since you can remember and have been doing so twice a day (hopefully) every day ever since. You should know how to brush your teeth, right? Well, according to the dentist in Silver Spring, it’s fairly obvious that people just aren’t brushing their teeth correctly! If they were, problems such as cavities, tooth decay and gum infections wouldn’t be as common as they are. In this three-part article series, we spoke to a qualified and experienced dentist about the dental health of Silver Spring and how this can be improved by avoiding 10 common toothbrushing mistakes.

Common Mistake # 1: Using the Wrong Toothbrush

“For every individual, there is a toothbrush that will best fit their mouth,” explains a dentist in Silver Spring. “So, when you are shopping for a toothbrush, try to match the size of its head to your mouth so that it’s able to reach every square inch, including behind your back teeth. You should never have to strain in order to clean every tooth and if you are, the head of your toothbrush is probably too big."

 “Additionally, you should opt for a toothbrush with a comfortable handle – perhaps with a rubber grip. If you struggle to hold your toothbrush when brushing, your control will be poor and you’ll likely stop short of the recommended two minutes,” says the Silver Spring dentist. “Whether you choose an electric or manual toothbrush is entirely up to you – one isn’t better than the other if you use them correctly.”

Common Mistake # 2: Choosing the Wrong Bristles

Just a brief perusal of the oral hygiene department of any grocery store reveals a staggering variety of toothbrushes that come in just about every shape, size and color. Even the bristles are cut differently – some toothbrushes come with straight bristles and others with angled bristles… some with a combination! What’s better?

“Again, what’s more important is how a patient uses their toothbrush rather than what shape or style the bristles have been cut in,” explains the dentist in Silver Spring. “Also, stay away from hard bristled brushes as these can actually contribute to the hastened erosion of your dental enamel. They can also irritate the gums and cause their recession from the crowns of the teeth, revealing the sensitive root underneath.”

Common Mistake # 3: Not Brushing Long Enough or Often Enough

You should be brushing your teeth at least twice a day and preferably three. The dental health of Silver Spring could be much improved simply by increasing the length of time we brush for and how frequently. The longer the period of time between brushes, the more time bacteria is given to multiply. This leads to a build-up of plaque and a longer exposure of your teeth to the acids bacteria produce. Frequent brushing removes plaque and neutralizes the PH of the mouth, keeping your teeth clean and healthy.

“Unfortunately, most people only brush for a fraction of the recommended time. Dedicate 30 seconds of brushing time to each quadrant of the mouth and be certain to scrub each and every tooth (but not too hard),” advises the dentist in Silver Spring. “If you are easily bored, try brushing your teeth while watching TV or reading a magazine article!"

Stay Tuned for Part 2

To read more about the common toothbrushing mistakes Silver Spring residents make, stay tuned for the second installment of this three-part article series.