8 Common Tooth Brushing Mistakes and How To Correct Them

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Brushing your teeth is a common activity we do every single day. Despite all the brushing, you may find that you have problems with your teeth that call for a visit to the dentist for deep scaling and root planing. The reason for this is that you are probably brushing your teeth the wrong way.

There are many common tooth brushing mistakes most people commit. Knowing about these mistakes is important as it will help you correct them. You could also have many questions related to brushing. For example, you may want to know how often should you brush your teeth.

I’ve even heard questions like, “can you brush your teeth too much?” The answer to all these questions is presented below. Know these tooth brushing mistakes and correct them, so your teeth remain healthy for longer.

8 Common Tooth Brushing Mistakes

1. You Have the Wrong Toothbrush.

One of the biggest mistakes people commit is selecting the wrong brush. Most people pick up whatever brush is available in the supermarket or buy the toothbrush that costs the least. This can be a big mistake. You need to choose the best possible brush since your dental hygiene depends on it.

A toothbrush with soft bristles is the best type of brush. It is soft on your teeth and helps you reach all the places that need to be covered. Soft bristles clean effectively without causing any abrasions. Avoid bristles that are firm or medium. They can be harsh on your gums, causing problems.

Look for a toothbrush that is approved by the ADA. A charcoal toothbrush will be able to loosen plaques in your teeth and gum. You can get a manual brush or an electric one, but make sure you get one with soft bristles.

The toothbrush head is another important criterion to consider while choosing. Most people ignore this point while buying a toothbrush. Ideally, you must choose a toothbrush with a small head. A toothbrush with a larger head may not fit properly in your mouth. Use a larger brush head only if you have a large mouth. Not choosing the right toothbrush head makes your brushing ineffective.

2. You Are Not Brushing at the Right Time.

We need to identify the length of time to spend brushing the teeth. Most people brush for too less time when the ideal duration is two minutes. Some people brush for under a minute and feel that they have brushed for 2 minutes.

If required, time the brushing by using the timer on your mobile. Do this for some days until you get adjusted to the routine of brushing for 2 minutes. You can set an electric toothbrush, so it beeps after 2 minutes. This will help identify the length of time to spend brushing the teeth.

Another question you may have is can you brush your teeth too much. It is possible that you may brush for too long and too hard. This is a problem when you have sensitive teeth. It can cause abrasion. Over brushing can irritate the outer teeth layer. You can end up having receding gums when you brush for too long and too hard.

3. You Are Not Brushing at the Right Angle.

Brushing is not about rubbing your teeth for 2 minutes. The objective is to reach out to every corner of your mouth to clean your teeth. There is a right angle at which you need to brush your teeth. Not doing so will lead to ineffective brushing.

You need to hold the brush at a 45-degree angle when you brush. This would cause tooth problems later. While brushing, the aim should be to make the bristles clean the teeth and below the gum line. This helps to get rid of plaque effectively.

If you are using an electric toothbrush, then you don’t have to worry about the angle. Hold straight and switch it on; it will do its job. It is important to note that you are not cleaning the tiles in your bathroom. What is required is not scrubbing but brushing gently to get the best results.

4. You Are Not Brushing the Right Way.

Most people believe that brushing involves rubbing the teeth back and forth with your brush and toothpaste. This is not an effective way to brush and will not help you achieve your objectives. Once again, note that you are not scrubbing your teeth. You are using the brush to massage your teeth and gum to keep them healthy and clean.

Start brushing from the gum line and then move up and down rhythmically. The movements should be circular so you reach out to all corners. Once you are done with it, then tilt the toothbrush. Then clean the inner surface of your teeth using the same up and down technique of brushing. This will help you get the best results.

5. You Don’t Change Your Brush.

Some people are so fond of their toothbrushes that they don’t change them for a long time. As you keep using the toothbrush, the bristles get worn out. It would no longer be effective in cleaning your teeth. This is why you need to change your toothbrush frequently.

Most dentists recommend that you change your toothbrush once in three months. This is the ideal duration to use a toothbrush.

6. You Don’t Floss Regularly.

When you visit a clinic or a center for dental implants, the dentist will remind you of the importance of flossing. Most people do not do this as they feel that brushing twice a day is enough and flossing is unnecessary. Also, most people do not know how to floss correctly and avoid flossing. This is a very big mistake.

A brush may not remove small food particles stuck in the gap between teeth. This is where flossing helps. Flossing can help protect you from many diseases, which is why you should do it every day.

When you floss daily, you ensure that your teeth are perfectly cleaned. There would be nothing available for bacteria to feed on and plaque to be formed. If you find using a flossing thread difficult, consider getting an electric flosser. It is easy to use and convenient.

7. You Skip Brushing at Night.

When you go for a deep scaling and root planning procedure, the dentist will tell you to put more effort into dental hygiene. You. can do this by brushing twice or thrice a day. Brushing at night before going to bed is essential. People who are busy throughout the day are too tired to spend two minutes brushing, so they end up skipping the nighttime brushing. This can be a costly mistake.

Not brushing at night means small food particles will remain in the mouth. This offers a perfect environment for bacteria to grow, which can cause plaque build-up. A fact that is not known is that dental disease has a direct relation to heart disease. Avoid such complications by keeping your teeth healthy.

Try to brush your teeth thrice a day. If it is difficult, brush in the morning and at night without fail. Spend the same time brushing at night and follow the same techniques you follow in the morning.

8. You Forget To Clean Your Tongue.

For better oral hygiene, your tongue needs to be cleaned every day. Just as you brush your teeth, you need to brush your tongue. If you have a problem with bad breath, then it is the bacteria on your tongue to blame.

When you finish brushing your teeth, conclude by brushing your tongue. You can use a scraper or tongue cleaner to do this. Some toothbrushes have a scraper at the back that is convenient to use. Cleaning the tongue helps reduce germ growth and keeps your mouth fresh. You can say goodbye to bad breath by brushing your tongue regularly.

Dennis Flack
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