Think you know how to brush your teeth properly? This guide reveals 15 common toothbrushing mistakes—like brushing too hard or not long enough—that can harm your enamel, gums, and overall oral health. Learn how to fix them for a cleaner, healthier smile.
“Every tooth in a man’s head is more valuable than a diamond.”
Miguel de Cervantes
All right today, I am going to be pointing out the mistakes that you are probably making when you are brushing your teeth. Yeah, I know many of you guys have been brushing your teeth, and you hear these mistakes. Maybe some of you are a little surprised at what kind of mistakes these are.
I bet no single person is reading this who has not made one of these fifteen mistakes. And also, I bet most of you guys are. Consistently, making many of these mistakes. So, stick around. Some of these you have heard before, other ones I do not think you have. And you are going to find this pretty intriguing after knowing these mistakes. I went off, spoke to the dentist, and did some research. I found some very fascinating things. So, bringing this in. Let’s dive right into the fifteen mistakes that most people of the world are making when it comes to taking care of their teeth.
1. Keeping Toothbrush Too Long
Many of us use their toothbrush for way too long. Consistent use twice a day a month–The life of a toothbrush is three months. After about 200 uses, you need to start looking for a new toothbrush. Why? You can see that the bristles are bound to wear out and frayed for using too much.
Your mouth will not clean with frayed or broken bristles properly. Once the bristles lose their flexibility, change your toothbrush.
Bacteria and food particles begin to accumulate on the toothbrush after using daily for a couple of months. Ensure that replacing your toothbrush every three months.
2. Not Brushing Teeth Long Enough
Brush for at least 2 minutes each time, according to conventional dental wisdom. Most people, on average, fall short of the 45-second barrier. Brushing for at least 2 minutes is critical for fluoride in toothpaste to adhere to the enamel. Next time you brush, give special attention to the areas you usually overlook. To attain the 2-minute threshold and acquire consistent outcomes across your teeth, teach yourself to be more thorough. Playing a 2-minute tune in your head, setting a timer, or utilizing an electric toothbrush with a timer are all options.
3. Rinsing Your Mouth with Water
After brushing their teeth, many people tend to rinse their mouths. It is just a terrible habit that needs to stop. Washes out toothpaste mean removing fluoride that is supposed to coat your teeth and protect your teeth.
Out of habit, some of you will still want to rinse your mouth. If that is the case, use mouthwash or mouth rinse that contains fluoride instead of water.
4. Storing Your Toothbrush in The Bathroom
This mistake, probably, we are all guilty of making.
Human excrement can find on more than half of all toothbrushes in households. How did it get there? Because you keep it in your bathroom. When you flush your toilet, the contents of the toilet bowl are splattered all over the place.
It is crucial if you share your bathroom with others, especially if you have children. Using a lid on your toothbrush can assist reduce this problem.
Consider keeping your toothbrush somewhere other than your bathroom — on your nightstand or inside your medicine cabinet, for example.
Oh, and before flushing, remember to close the lid on your toilet seat.
5. Not Use Dental Floss
Flossing at least once a day is essential to effectively eliminate plaque from your teeth in areas where your toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing every day should become a habit.
Flossing turns into hard calcified deposits on your teeth, which are not healthy since plaque does not remove through brushing.
Make a routine. It is the most effective technique to maintain good dental hygiene.
6. Not Cleaning Your Tongue
For germs, the tongue is a good breeding place. Brush your tongue after brushing to remove any bacteria that may have remained. It is an effective way to keep away future germ buildup.
Brushing your tongue is a great practice to get into if you want to avoid bad breath and oral disease. Using the bristles of your toothbrush, though, is not enough. Using toothbrushes with built-in tongue scrapers is the most effective way. Consider purchasing a new toothbrush to give your mouth a thorough cleaning. Consider purchasing a new toothbrush to give your mouth a thorough cleaning.
7. Using Too Hard A Toothbrush
The bristles cause gum irritation if they are too stiff. Choose bristles that are gentle or exceptionally soft. To remove food particles caught between your teeth, all you need is a toothbrush. You are not attempting to buff them up. Brushes with medium or firm bristles can destroy the protective enamel coating on your teeth if they use with enough effort. As a result, your teeth and gums become sensitive and painful when you drink something cold.
8. Using the Wrong Brushing Technique
You can find numerous recommendations of how you should brush your teeth, how often you should brush, and for how long.
A firm brush is not the best option when it comes to brushing. Begin at the gum line and work your way up and down. Gliding along with the teeth left and right is a typical brushing blunder. Instead of scrubbing, think MASSAGE. Brushing with little circular, up and down motions is a good example. Brushing seems an easy task, yet, it can harm your teeth seriously if you do it incorrectly.
9. Brushing Teeth at the Wrong Angle
Make short circular strokes while holding your brush at a 45-degree angle. It is the best angle for a thorough clean.
To provide optimum cleaning below and above the gum line, point the bristles at this angle. Clean between the teeth and gums with the central row of bristles. Cleaning the gum line prevents discoloration as well as cavities and gum disease.
It is for this reason that some toothbrushes have angled bristles.
10. Not Changing Your Teeth Brushing Routine
Brushing your teeth has become a habit for a lot of people. It is easy to get into the habit of focusing on particular areas while ignoring others. Brushing your teeth in a more irregular pattern is a terrific approach to improve your oral hygiene. Brushing in different ways ensures that you clean more evenly each time. Using an electric toothbrush can be beneficial in this situation; guide it and, it will assist you in getting those hard-to-reach areas that you would otherwise overlook.
11. Over-Brushing
To brush your teeth more than twice a day is unnecessary. Some people believe it is acceptable to clean their teeth three or four times per day, usually after each meal. Brushing your teeth more than twice a day might harm your gums and erode the enamel on your teeth, which is not something you want.
12. Brushing Your Teeth Only Once Per Day
Brushing your teeth twice a day is necessary to decrease bacteria and plaque buildup. Brushing your teeth twice a day not only minimizes halitosis but also lowers your risk of gum disease and removes tooth stains.
13. Brushing Too Soon After A Meal
Do you immediately grab your toothbrush and proceed to the sink after a meal? Even while it feels great to be free of the garlic and onions after dinner, experts advise against brushing your teeth right away. According to the studies, an acidic snack or meal can remove the enamel on your teeth right after brushing. That is why the dentist will advise you to wait at least 30 minutes before cleaning the debris away.
14. Not Brushing All Surfaces
It is necessary to clean all chewing surfaces, both inner and outer. Use gentle back and forth strokes that cover the entire breadth of your teeth. Ensure brush all inner and outer surfaces of your teeth, as well as any chewing surfaces. The ideal approach to clean the interior of your front teeth is to tilt your brush vertically and move it up and down. Brushing is used to remove dirt from difficult-to-reach areas, such as between the teeth.
15. Storing Your Toothbrush Wet
When you store your toothbrush in a tight space, such as a drawer or cabinet, it becomes a problem to keep it moist. It will create a breeding ground for bacteria if it remains wet in a small space. Before you put your toothbrush away, make sure it has had time to air dry. After brushing your teeth, the American Dental Association recommends letting your toothbrush air dry vertically, away from other toothbrush heads. Rinse the bristles of your toothbrush well with warm water before you begin brushing to eliminate any debris, and do the same after you’ve finished. Your toothbrush’s handle is also very significant. Take care to wipe it down and maintain it clean regularly
Everyone knows how to brush their teeth, but with some modifications, you can do better. To help you take proper oral hygiene to the next level, learn from these missteps and consult your dentist for regular teeth cleaning.
