My dentist had to redo a filling because I was brushing the wrong way for 20 years

I went in for a routine cleaning in Milwaukee last month and the hygienist asked if I ever got feedback about my gum line. Turns out I was doing aggressive back and forth scrubbing like I was sanding a deck, when you're supposed to do small circles. She pulled out a plastic model and a giant toothbrush to demonstrate, and my first thought was 'I've been lied to by every cartoon toothpaste ad ever.' The dentist had to redo a filling on my lower molar because the enamel had worn thin near the gum. Has anyone else had to unlearn a basic habit that your dentist just assumed you knew?

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william_craig716d ago

Gotta admit I always thought the back and forth scrub was the way to go too, like you're really getting in there. Watching that hygienist show the tiny circles on the model made me feel kinda dumb, but now I'm paranoid every time I brush. Swear I spent a whole week just staring at my own gums in the mirror after that.