Brushing your teeth is a habit you likely don’t think much about. However, there are a few common teeth cleaning mistakes you could be making that may inadvertently be damaging your oral health. The guide below explains what to avoid moving forward.

Common Pitfalls to Watch For

1. Brushing Too Hard

Your dental enamel is the toughest substance in the human body, but it isn't invincible. Brushing too hard or too long can wear it down, which makes the darker yellow dentin inside visible and also weakens your teeth.

Overbrushing can also irritate your gums, which may start to pull away from your teeth. You should use a soft-bristled toothbrush, apply light pressure at a 45-degree angle, and make small, circular movements instead of scrubbing back and forth forcefully.

2. Brushing Right After You Eat

Whenever you eat sugar or carbs, the bacteria in your mouth use them to produce acid. This acid weakens your dental enamel—meaning your enamel is actually at its most vulnerable right after you eat. This problem gets even worse if you eat or drink something acidic, like soda or pasta sauce.

If you brush your teeth at this time, you'll remove dental enamel. Therefore, wait for about half an hour to let your saliva naturally wash away the acid and replenish the minerals in the enamel.

3. Skipping Parts of Your Mouth

You already know you should brush all sides of every tooth, but dental cleaning doesn't stop there. You should also brush your tongue to remove the sticky white plaque that forms there. Gently brush your gums as well; this removes plaque and helps stimulate blood flow.

For a professional opinion on your teeth cleaning routine, make an appointment with Stadler Dental Care in Columbus, NE. Serving Platte County for over 20 years, Dr. Stadler and his team value continued education and advanced treatment options. This dentist is also a member of the American Dental Association. Contact the office at (402) 564-4093 or visit their website to learn more about their offerings.