Mistakes You Make While Cleaning Your Teeth
Is it true that maintaining oral hygiene by brushing your teeth twice a day prevents dental health issues? Not always. Simply brushing your teeth doesn't ensure the elimination of bacteria and the prevention of plaque build-up in your mouth.
In this blog, we explore common mistakes that individuals may unknowingly make during their tooth brushing routine. Have you committed any of these mistakes
1. Not brushing long enough
We suggest brushing your teeth for two minutes, twice daily. That’s 2 minutes before you go to bed and at least one other time during the day.
You might find it challenging to gauge the duration of your brushing sessions. If you're using a regular toothbrush, you can utilize the timer on your phone, a clock, or a small hourglass to help keep track. Most electric toothbrushes “buzz” at 30 second intervals, that way you can divide your mouth into 4 areas, top to bottom left to right, and spend 30 seconds on each section.
2. Using the wrong toothpaste
Although there is no single “best” toothpaste for every person in the world, be sure to check that your toothpaste contains fluoride, and make sure it has enough – For adults, the recommended fluoride concentration ranges from 1,350 to 1,500 parts per million, often abbreviated as ppm on the tube. Fluoride plays a vital role in preventing tooth decay.
If you are choosing vegan alternatives for toothpaste, again make sure that this contains fluoride.
3. Brushing once daily
Your night time clean is the most important so you can remove the deposits which have built up from eating and drinking during the day, as well as removing bacteria which is the root cause of both tooth decay and gum disease.
4. Brushing too hard
Using the wrong technique when brushing, paired with a heavy hand, can cause wear on your teeth and potentially lead to receding gums. Brushing harder will not leave your teeth cleaner. Many electric toothbrushes come equipped with a sensor that will flash a light if you apply too much pressure while brushing.
You want to brush at a slight angle, rather than square to the teeth, and focus on each tooth (tooth by tooth) instead of a side to side scrubbing motion
5. Using the wrong toothbrush
Manual versus electric? The debate rages on… One thing we have noticed is that it’s very tricky to clean wisdom teeth with a manual toothbrush so often people will skip the back of their mouth because of this, however an electric toothbrush can clean wisdom teeth much better without requiring you to move your actual brush too much.
The principle applies to the brush size as well; a larger brush head isn't essential because the goal is to address the surface of one tooth at a time, ensuring effective cleaning for each tooth rather than attempting to clean all teeth simultaneously.
Whether you opt for an electric or manual toothbrush, exercise caution in selecting your bristles. It's advisable to choose soft or medium bristles instead of hard ones to ensure gentle cleaning without causing harm to your teeth and gums. The same consideration applies to the brush size; a larger brush head is not essential. The goal is to cover the surface of one tooth at a time, ensuring effective cleaning for each tooth rather than attempting to clean all teeth simultaneously.
6. Using an old toothbrush or toothbrush head
If the bristles are worn, your toothbrush will not be as effective as it should be. Change your toothbrush or toothbrush head for manual toothbrushes every 3 months – think of it as changing every time the season changes if you can’t remember the date you started using it.
It is crucial to replace your toothbrush after an illness. Bacteria can grow on your toothbrush, and using a fresh brush can help prevent reinfection.
7. Flossing only the front of your teeth
Certain individuals only floss the teeth within their reach rather than between all of their teeth. Flossing is not just about removing food but removing the fine plaque and biofilm between teeth and gums, this is the damaging stuff which leads to cavities and gum disease.
8. Replacing flossing with brushing or mouthwash
A toothbrush head labeled "floss action" is not a replacement for traditional flossing. It, like any other toothbrush head, cannot reach between the teeth. Additionally, mouthwash alone is insufficient for removing plaque.
Although the above are general “mistakes”, oral hygiene advice may differ from person to person as it is dependent on a number of factors relating to the individual (such as their lifestyle, genetics and current oral health). It’s best to see a dentist regularly who will be able to demonstrate techniques and provide you with tailored recommendations for your oral health care at home – and they will be able to care for your teeth and gums in a manner that you cannot achieve at home!