When you brush your teeth, do you ever consider how long you actually brush for? Perhaps it’s a habit and you can’t really answer this question – but there are several common mistakes we all make, which can lead to plaque build-up and other problems with our teeth.
Here’s a list of the most common mistakes we make when brushing our teeth:
- We rush it
Dentists recommend that we should be brushing our teeth gently for at least two minutes. Most of us, if we’re honest, take about a minute, if that, to clean our teeth. Take a bit more time and you’ll clean your teeth more effectively.
- We’re too forceful
Many of us take our toothbrush and start a war with our teeth. This isn’t the best practice. By brushing vigorously you can wear away your enamel, which is your natural protector against plaque and other oral problems. It can also lead to bleeding, which can expose you to infection.
- We brush at the wrong angle
There is a particular angle that works the best when trying to remove plaque from both your teeth and your gums – the angle at which we should be brushing our teeth is 45 degrees from where the teeth and the gum meet. Try to aim for that degree for optimal results.
- We forget the tongue
The tongue is like a carpet that collects a lot of bacteria and remnants of food. Without brushing your tongue, you can expect bad breath. However, we do not recommend brushing your tongue hard and scraping it until it bleeds. With your brush, just gently brush your tongue a few times. On many toothbrushes, you’ll find a dedicated area just for cleaning your tongue.
- We forget to floss
You can have the best, most-advanced and powerful toothbrush in the world, but if you do not floss, you cannot be guaranteed to have the cleanest mouth in Melbourne. Flossing once a day will remove the small particles in-between your mouth that cause gingivitis and other gum and mouth diseases. This is why it’s important to remember to floss.
- We rinse after brushing
This one may come as a shock! However, dentists recommend not to rinse your mouth after you’ve brushed. Yes, we know, it sort of goes against what we’ve been taught our whole lives. However, the science is there: fluoride from your toothpaste helps to nourish your teeth and fights against plaque. If you rinse it out, you are removing the fluoride. So don’t always rinse, especially when you’re using a specially recommended fluoride toothpaste.
These are common mistakes we make, but it’s not too late to change our ways. You’ll see a vast improvement in your oral health soon enough, and you will prevent future problems. You can even show off your knowledge by sharing these tips with friends and family.
Want more advice about your oral health or need to a dentist to check your teeth? Request an appointment or contact us today!
