Here’s a habit worth breaking: scrubbing your teeth like you’re sanding a deck. Brushing harder doesn’t get your teeth cleaner – it just wears down enamel, irritates your gums, and over time can actually expose the roots of your teeth. Ouch.
What does matter is how long you brush. The American Dental Association recommends a full two minutes, twice a day, and most people fall short by about a minute. Two minutes feels longer than you think – set a timer, play a song, or use an electric toothbrush with a built-in timer.
Pair that with a soft-bristled brush, gentle circular motions, and fluoride toothpaste, and you’re doing more for your smile than any aggressive scrubbing ever could. At Carter Orthodontics, we’d rather see you brushing smarter, not harder.
