If you are concerned about your overall oral health, then your probably care for your teeth by brushing and flossing on a daily basis. While this is ideal to keep your teeth free of cavities, some individuals make some serious mistakes when it comes to the way they brush. Keep reading to learn a little bit about these mistakes and how you can go about avoiding them.

Brushing Too Hard

It makes sense that you want to get rid of as much dental plaque as possible. This plaque ultimately leads to cavities and it encourages bacterial activity in the mouth. So, in your attempt to get rid of the plaque, you may brush quite hard. This can do more harm than good. When you brush the dental enamel hard, you can actually damage it. This can lead to large openings in the enamel and the formation of more cavities. 

Hard brushing can also damage the gums leading to the erosion of the soft tissues, the receding of the gums, and the appearance of the bare tooth roots. This, in turn, can lead to gingivitis and cavities as well. 

Not only is damage an issue, but you may feel uncomfortable as the teeth and the gums start to feel sensitive. Some people even think they are not brushing hard enough at this point and will use more pressure to clear away the plaque.

To clean the teeth properly, you want to use light pressure. To assist with this, place your hand on the very end of the toothbrush and try not to force the brush into the teeth too hard. Think about the pressure you would use to wash your hands or face. Also, while the gums should be cleaned, you want to concentrate the majority of the pressure on the teeth to minimize cuts.

Soft-bristled toothbrushes can help to reduce gum damage and so can smaller brushes, like the ones made for children, so try these products as well.

Not Using A New Toothbrush

Sometimes a toothbrush will feel right when it has been used for more than a few months. However, toothbrushes, like most other items we use on or in our bodies will harbor a lot of bacteria. And, as the bacteria build into a thick layer, the bacteria create a biofilm that can be dangerous and form infections. 

So, make sure that you invest in a new toothbrush at least once every three to four months. If you feel that the brush only feels comfortable after long-term use, then opt for a softer bristled one. Also, to help you to remember to buy a new toothbrush, look into products that have fading bristles that tell you when you need to buy a new one.  Visit a site like https://valleyoakdentalgroup.com/ for more help.