Brushing yours and your child’s teeth is essential for an optimal oral health care. However, most people don’t do it correctly and this leads to tooth decay and other oral-related issues. At Pediatric Dental Associates, the leading pediatric dentists in Fair Lawn, we have prepared a list with the most common mistakes people do when brushing their teeth. In this way, you can teach your child from an early age to avoid these, and cultivate a healthy oral habit that will work wonders for them in the future.
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Choosing the Wrong Toothbrush
With so many options out there, choosing a toothbrush can be an overwhelming decision. Selecting the right toothbrush implies that you know the particular needs of yours or your child’s mouth. For some people, a small head toothbrush may be a better fitting option, while others may need a bigger one. The same situation happens with the handles: some may prefer a long handle, while others don’t. One thing, though, that is recommended for all is using a soft bristle toothbrush. It helps you remove all the food debris from your mouth and it’s gentle to your gums.
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Brushing too Hard
When it comes to brushing, harder does not necessarily mean better. When you brush too hard you can actually harm your gums and teeth. Instead, brush gently, try to “massage” instead of “scrub” your teeth.
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Doing It Fast
Because of modern’s life high pace, it is normal that we run short of time often. Many times, we tend to rush through brushing because we have to do something or be at some place at a certain time. Although it will be inevitable at some point, make sure you and your child brush your teeth at least twice a day and for two minutes each time. If you do so, you can be certain that you’re taking good care of your teeth.
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Keeping a Toothbrush for too Long
Sometimes, we find a toothbrush that works perfectly for us, and we try to keep it for the longest we can. Although this is understandable, experts recommend changing your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months to make sure that the bristles are in a good shape and do their job cleaning your teeth.
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Brushing Right After Eating
This is one of the most common mistakes in the list. When they finish eating, many people feel the need to brush their teeth right away to remove all the food debris from their mouth. This actually may cause more harm than good. This is because when you eat, your saliva helps remove the acid that the food has left on your teeth. If you brush right away, you are helping the acid to harm your teeth. The professionals’ advice is to wait at least 20 minutes after eating before you brush your teeth.
At Pediatric Dental Associates, the leading pediatric dentist in Fair Lawn and nearby areas, we strive to educate our patients in every aspect of their oral health. If you’d like to separate an appointment or know more about us, please call us now at (201) 652-7020.
