6 Mistakes When Brushing Your Teeth
Brushing your teeth twice a day might not necessarily be enough to keep your mouth and teeth healthy and clean. Especially if you are making some common mistakes. Here we will explain to you 5 mistakes when brushing your teeth that are easily avoidable.
Top Mistakes when Brushing Your Teeth
1. Not brushing for long enough
This is the probably the most common mistake and the easiest to rectify. You should be brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day. It is easy to get into a habit of brushing for a shorter time especially when you are in a rush in the morning. The average person usually brushed for only half the recommended time per day.
You need to brush for two minutes to give the fluoride in your toothpaste time to attach to the enamel in your teeth. The best way to discipline yourself to brush for the required two minutes is to set a timer on your phone. There are also electric toothbrushes on the market that buzz every 30 seconds to help you.
2. Using the wrong toothpaste when brushing your teeth
There are many toothpaste brands out there and it can be difficult to know which one to go for. There is no toothpaste which is better than all others, but make sure you get one that contains fluoride.
Fluoride is crucial in preventing tooth decay, and the NHS recommends that your toothpaste contains between 1350 and 1500 parts per million, or ppm.
3. Brushing too hard
One of the most common mistakes when brushing your teeth is to brush a bit too hard. Brushing harder will not clean your teeth better. Rather it can cause wear on your teeth and possibly lead to receding gums.
Also you want to avoid brushing side to side across your teeth. It is better to brush each tooth individually and at an angle with a circular motion.
4. Using an old toothbrush
If your toothbrush is old and the bristles become worn down, it will lose its effectiveness. Try to replace your toothbrush every three months or so.
If you have been ill you should also swiftly replace your toothbrush. Being ill can lead to bacteria growing on your brush which risks making you ill again.
5. Ignoring floss
Try to make it a habit to floss every day. It is recommended to floss daily to remove plaque from areas which your toothbrush cannot reach.
If you do not remove plaque from brushing and flossing then it will harden into calcified deposits. This is not good for your oral hygiene so be sure to get into the routine of flossing every day.
6. Leaving your toothbrush wet
If you store your toothbrush in a confined space like a cabinet, then you should avoid leaving it wet in there. If it is left wet then it can become a breeding ground for bacteria.
Let it dry in the air a bit before storing it. Make sure the tooth brush handle is also clean and that the brush head is not touching any other toothbrushes.
Avoiding Mistakes when Brushing Your Teeth
Brushing your teeth might seem second nature but it is easy to get into bad habits over time and rush what is an important routine. By avoiding the above mistakes when brushing your teeth you will take much better care of your mouth and teeth. If you are looking for more dental tips you can read about things you may not know about looking after your teeth.
At Andrew House Dental Practice we have a wealth of knowledge and our professionals will
be pleased to give you individual advice on taking care of your teeth so you can keep them for
life. Our dedicated hygienist will give you the latest advice on diet, brushing and
gum care- give us a call or visit our website. We look forward to seeing you.
