Dentist Shares The 'Biggest Mistake' We Make When Brushing

I was embarrassingly old when I realised we’re meant to “glide” an electric toothbrush over our teeth rather than scrubbing with it. We’re also meant to floss deeper into our gums and wait much longer to use mouthwash than I realised.Since learning about the techniques, though, I’ve had a much more thorough dental routine.Except, it turns out, I’ve been making what dentist Dr Mark Burhenne, known online as Ask A Dentist, calls “the biggest mistake” most of us make when brushing. Brushing too hard is “probably” the biggest mistake most of us make In a YouTube Short, Dr Burhenne said the error lies in our grip. “We are holding [our toothbrushes] like a hammer or screwdriver,” while ideally, we should hold them “like a pencil”. He added, “You have to hold it with your fingers... the handle... shouldn’t be up against the fleshy part of your palm”. Sticking to a lighter grip can help prevent gum recession and tooth sensitivity.And, the BBC said, it can also create tears in your gums in which bacteria can enter, as well as eroding grooves in your tooth’s enamel. Worse news for people like me, who thought our battery-powered options were easier to manage: apparently, the rule “especially” applies to electric toothbrushes, because they’re “pretty energetic”.Speaking to the BBC, Dr Josefine Hirschfeld, an associate professor and restorative dentistry specialist at the University of Birmingham, said that the pressure we apply should be no more than 150-400g.How do I know if I’m brushing my teeth too hard? Unless you have a sensor on your electric toothbrush, it can be hard to work out whether you’re brushing your teeth too hard. But Colgate says that there are some signs. For instance, if your bristles flatten after a couple of weeks, that’s a sign you need to lessen the pressure.You may also notice gum recession and increased sensitivity.Speak to your dentist if you’re worried about either of the above. Related...Dentists Are Begging You To Stop Using These Viral Teeth-Whitening HacksThese 'Healthy' Habits Could Be Staining Your Teeth More Than Coffee12 Things Dental Hygienists Would Never, Ever Do To Their Teeth

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