5 Common Mistakes Made When Brushing Your Teeth

A study conducted in 2016 by the Global Burden of Disease found that oral diseases affect half of the world’s population, especially where tooth decay on permanent teeth is concerned. They also found that oral diseases are the most common non-communicable disease.

The worst part is that these oral diseases cause pain, discomfort, and disfigurement that may last a lifetime. Sometimes they even cause death.

While it seems easy, brushing of teeth is an essential skill that everyone learns when they are young children. Well, dentists seem to disagree.

There are many mistakes that people make when brushing their teeth. These mistakes, unfortunately, cost them more than they can imagine.

Poor oral hygiene methods lead to building up of plaque that eventually lead to gum diseases and tooth decay. To make those costly dental appointments even fewer, make sure that you are brushing your teeth the right way.

This article will tell you the top five mistakes most people make when brushing your teeth and how you can correct them.

You Are Using the Wrong Toothbrush When Brushing Your Teeth

You need to carefully look at the label of the toothbrush you are buying. Does it say soft or extra soft? If the bristles are hard, there is a big chance they will weaken your tooth’s enamel.

The hard bristles cause the gum tissue to pull back, and this exposed the root. The damaged enamel causes you to have a sensitivity to cold and hot foods.

Choosing the wrong toothbrush is a huge problem that most people face. You also need to ensure that it will fit into the mouth and only brush one or two teeth at a time. The general rule of thumb is that you only go for a toothbrush that is 1 or 1.5” wide.

You should also always make sure that you replace your toothbrush after every three months or after the bristles are damaged or frayed. You should also always replace it after illnesses such as a cold.

Not Brushing Long Enough

What do you mean there is a set amount of time to brush my teeth? Yes, there is.

On average, you should spend a minimum of two minutes, brushing your teeth. Two minutes does feel awfully wrong for most people, but that is because they are not using the correct techniques.

Removing food debris, bacteria and plaque should be done thoroughly. You should also ensure that you are brushing your teeth at least twice a day, more if you have braces.

You should not just focus on brushing your teeth. Your entire mouth needs to be cleaned.

This means that you need to brush your teeth, tongue, the top of the mouth and the cheeks. This is a critical step when it comes to removing cavities and bad breath.

You do not have to spend exactly two minutes brushing. Take as long as you need to do a good job. A clean-feeling mouth will invoke confidence, and it will undoubtedly be worth time spent.

Using the Wrong Brushing Techniques

Most people will brush their teeth in tiny circles to get all the bacteria and plaque out. However, this is not the best method. As it turns out, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you move the toothbrush back and forth in strokes that are tooth wide.

You can then use the shorter strokes to hit the inner and outer surfaces of the teeth and then the eating surfaces too. Make sure you hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums. The front teeth are a bit tricky, so you need to tilt the brush vertically and make a couple of up-and-down strokes.

You also need to make sure that you floss the teeth at least once a day. This is because the toothbrush bristles will not be able to reach certain areas. You also need to ensure you visit the dentist regularly so they can diagnose and treat oral conditions early.

You Brush Too Soon

Sounds complicated? It is not. Sometimes, after a meal, it is easy to feel that you have to go to the bathroom and get over the brushing. This, in some cases, is not any better than not brushing at all.

You may want to wait a little bit longer, especially if you have had a particularly acidic meal. Acids in these meals destroy a little bit of the enamel. By brushing immediately, you are helping them corrode away at enamel even more, which could lead to loss of teeth.

It is recommended that you wait for at least 20 minutes before going into the bathroom to brush your teeth. That is long enough for the saliva to neutralize the acid. Also, you should also start by rinsing your mouth and getting rid of some of the acids before you dive in.

You Are Not Correctly Storing Your Toothbrush

Many people make the mistake of storing their toothbrush in an enclosed place. While this is good when you are traveling, it is not an excellent way to store your toothbrush daily. The container may have moist that is conducive for the growth of bacteria.

So, what is the right way to store your brush? Ensure that it is placed in an open area. After use, always rinse it properly and make sure you are not leaving debris and toothpaste on its head.

Store it in an upright position to help gravity dry it out and drain the water. Storing it out in the open as opposed to an enclosed cabinet ensures that the bacteria will not regrow.

You also need to ensure that it does not touch the surface of the brush. You also need to put it in a place that it will not be in contact with dirty water of cleaning products.

Take Extra Care When Brushing Your Teeth

While you love your partner, it is recommended that you do not use their toothbrush when brushing your teeth. Your body is not ready to fight someone else’s germs. Always consult your dentist if you are unsure of anything about your oral hygiene.

For more information about oral hygiene and getting a good dentist, contact us.