11 Brushing Habits that can Damage Your Gums and Teeth

I think you will agree with me when I say that poor oral hygiene can lead to other diseases like gingivitis, bacterial infections, gum diseases, plaque, and tooth loss. Most of us are brushing our teeth in the morning, and many people brush their teeth at night as well. But this practice if performed incorrectly, does not help maintain a healthy mouth. There can be unhealthy habits that you do on a regular basis, some of which you believe are favorable. In order to get the cleanest mouth around, you should stop performing these poor dental habits today.

Having the same brushing habit is an important part of your daily routine, but this can damage your gums and teeth. Below are the 11 everyday brushing habits that might cause more harm than good to your dental health. This ultimate guide is for you to change these habits and improve your oral health.

Habit #1: Opting For Hard Brushing

Some things need to be done softly. You should brush your teeth softly as brushing aggressively can irritate the gums and damage the teeth. This can lead to infections and scratches if too much pressure is used, or if you perform it frequently. Plaque is supposed to be loose and soft which makes its removal easier than expected. However, there can be difficulty in removing the plaque when it hardens to tartar. This is should be taken care of by a hygienist or dentist.

It becomes difficult for plaque to form when a person is regularly brushing and flossing. Instead, gently brush sections of teeth like canines, molars, and bicuspids with a soft brush.

Habit #2: Don’t Share A Toothbrush With Anyone

Sometimes when a person cannot find their toothbrush, they brush with someone else's, usually their partner. We must tell you that sharing a toothbrush with your partner or even with anyone else can be pretty gross. Most people don’t think about such things but the usage of your partner or spouses toothbrush can initiate an exchange of germs for which the body isn’t prepared.

This increases chances of getting sick more often because the flu virus can remain on a surface for several hours. Toothbrushes can also harbor problems like HPV, pneumonia, and even bloodborne pathogens. Bacteria that can cause cavities, called streptococcus mutans, can also be super infectious. Your partner doesn’t realize that they are putting your dental health at risk. 

Habit #3: Don’t Keep An Old Brush

You should have heard about changing your brush every three to four months. The American Dental Association (ADA) has recommended to change your brush with the beginning of each season. Not only do brushes build up germs over time, but the bristles also break down with continued use, especially with hard brushes. The teeth may become discolored and look dirty. Older bristles aren’t able to clean teeth the way they should, and eventually cause plaque with the accumulation of germs. That’s why it is better to change your brush within the ideal time.

Habit #4: Brushing Is Not About Performing Quickly

Sometimes when we are running late, an idea comes to the mind to quickly brush the teeth and call it a morning. And why not, attempting to brush quickly for 30 seconds sound better than not brushing at all. If the same perspective arises in your mind as well, we must tell you, that thinking is totally wrong. A tooth requires gentle brushing for at least a matter of two minutes. Quickly brushing for a formality doesn't really help the teeth, it can leave behind plaque, germs, and food. These substances can cause destruction to the mouth.

Fluoride is supposed to be a well-wisher of the teeth. You need to give it time to work magic on your teeth. It can take more than half a minute to improve the enamel. If brushing seems to be a boring activity, try playing music to keep on brushing. 

Habit #5: Avoid Brushing Right After Meal

If maintaining good oral care is one of your top priorities, then you should brush after every meal. It is supposed to be a good activity, but do you have any idea that it might be causing more harm than good. Though it is recommended for a person to brush after every meal, brushing just after a meal can be counterproductive. When a person eats, acidity from the food remains in the mouth. This provides a chance for those acids to better access more sensitive parts of the tooth. Such practices can contribute towards enamel erosion and can lead to more sensitive teeth in time.

In order to prevent such acids from wearing down the teeth, it is better to wait 15 to 20 minutes before brushing after a meal. Waiting will aid saliva in the neutralizing and breaking down of acids in the mouth before they enter a tooth's fine lines. If you can’t wait, try to rinse your mouth instead. It will assist in driving out some of the acids before you opt for brushing.

Habit #6: Don’t Ignore The Gums

Many people think that our gums are cleaned when we brush the teeth. And why not, they are attached to them. Brushing the gums with the help of ultra-soft bristles can prove to be a good alternative. We recommend that people brush their teeth with some pressure, and with the help of PeriClean ultra-soft rubber bristles. It will allow their teeth to get the cleaning they require and not damage tooth enamel or gums.

Habit #7: Cleaning Your Tongue

Try to remember to brush your tongue along with your teeth. It can be helpful in preventing bad breath or any remaining bacteria in the mouth. The bristles of the brush perform a decent job at loosening potentially harmful bacteria. One can rinse with mouthwash after brushing their tongue for added germ expulsion.

Habit #8: Go For Soft Bristles

Don’t opt for medium or hard-bristled toothbrushes. Instead, try to go for soft-bristled that have the capability to bend more easily and clean the gum line. They won't damage your teeth as they are less harsh than hard-bristled toothbrushes. People with sensitive teeth or weakened enamel should lean towards soft bristle toothbrushes. Hard-bristled toothbrushes can contribute towards a receding gum line and the weakening of the enamel. That’s why it is better to choose a soft-bristled toothbrushes.

Habit #9: Using The Wrong Toothbrush 

As mentioned in the above topic, soft-bristled toothbrushes are best instead of medium or hard-bristled toothbrushes. In this modern era, electric toothbrushes have been introduced. They can be considered a good option for people with tougher gums or those who find difficulty with the right brushing technique. Electric toothbrushes with vibrating or rotating heads can still prove harmful to those people with weakened enamel or sensitive gum lines.

If you are going to choose an electric brush or any other type of toothbrush, it is important to keep in mind the pros and cons with each. If there is a thought to go for manual toothbrushes, various options are there to help in discontinuing recession of the gum line and ensuring the healthiest mouth. Companies like Periclean avoid the use of ruthless nylon brushes. Instead, they go for ultra-soft, non-latex rubber bristles that are helpful in preventing further damage while still maintaining a fresh and clean mouth.

Habit #10: Where To Store Your Toothbrush

Leaving your toothbrush on the counter, putting it in the holder, or storing it in a travel container can prompt the build-up of germs. Try to avoid keeping toothbrushes in an upright position in the open air. This allows a chance for bristles to get dry before using it again. Also, don’t leave on the counter where the liquid puddles around the brush. Avoid storing it in a travel container or any other enclosed space as utilizing a storage container will lock in the moisture from the brush. This can cause different types of fungi and germs to produce in the enclosed or damp environment.

You can choose a simple toothbrush holder to store the brush. If the holder is sharing different types of toothbrushes, try to make sure that your brush contains separate holes to restrict the bristles in touch with each other. In order to stay away from some extra bacteria taking place on your brush, try to keep it away from the toilet or any open windows. And why not, toothbrushes are implemented every day in our mouth.

Habit #11: Changing Up Routine

It has been said that running the same track every day is helpful in making one half of the body stronger than the other. For battling with this, one must try to run in the opposite direction or it will be better to change up the run altogether. Talking about the teeth, when a person brushes them in the same way, only the same old spots will be cleaned. It will be helpful for those parts, but the neglected locations slowly accumulate more bacteria. That’s why it is better to make an experiment with your brushing habits and tracking the progress of mouth.

If you’re not completely aware of good brushing habits, they can harm your teeth and gums. Don’t let that happen and try to make implementations in your brushing habits. There are different ways to maintain good oral hygiene. If someone is still unable to do that, try to consult with your doctor or dentist for further help.

Conclusion:

Some easy changes to make to your oral hygiene are switching from hard to soft bristles, brushing slower, and avoiding brushing right after a meal. This will greatly improve your gums and teeth. I hope you have learned from this ultimate guide and will apply these changes. 

Will you leave any bad habit behind? If yes, which one will you choose?