11 Common Toothbrushing Mistakes You Should Stop Making Now - us.instasmile.com

Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential for a healthy smile, but it’s easy to make mistakes when brushing your teeth. Here are eleven common tooth brushing mistakes that you should stop making now.

1. Not getting a NEW toothbrush

The average toothbrush will last you three months if used twice daily. However, after a few months of use, bacteria and food particles will accumulate on the bristles. It is important to replace your toothbrush at least once every three months to prevent unhealthy build-up.

2. Not brushing your teeth long enough

The recommended amount of time to brush your teeth is two minutes, yet the average person only brushes for 45 seconds.

If you don't brush for at least 2 minutes, the fluoride in your toothpaste won't have enough time to attach to the enamel on your teeth and protect them from cavities.

3. Rinsing with water after brushing your teeth

Though you might be tempted to, do not rinse your mouth with water after brushing your teeth. Once water comes in contact with toothpaste, the fluoride becomes less effective.

4. Keeping your toothbrush near your toilet

Human feces is present on more than half of all toothbrushes. It gets there because too many of us keep our toothbrushes near the toilet. Consider keeping your toothbrush somewhere other than near your toilet.

5. Not flossing your teeth

Make it a habit to floss every day if you haven't already. Flossing at least once a day is required to remove plaque between your teeth, which your toothbrush cannot reach. When plaque isn't removed with brushing and flossing, it hardens into calcified deposits on your teeth.

6. You aren't keeping your tongue clean

Clean your tongue after brushing your teeth to avoid bad breath and bacteria. The bacteria on your tongue is scraped off with a tongue cleaner.

7. Brushing your teeth with a hard bristle toothbrush

If the bristles are too stiff, they can cause gum irritation. Choose bristles that are soft or extra-soft. Brushes with medium or hard bristles can remove the protective enamel coating on your teeth if they are used with enough force. As a result, your teeth and gums become sensitive and will hurt when you drink something cold.

8. Brushing incorrectly

Brushing your teeth should be done in circles rather than back and forth. Cleaning the gaps between the teeth is easier and more effective with circular motions.

The toothbrush should be used on both the teeth and gum line, but with a lighter touch than usual- too much pressure can damage your gums. The side-to-side strokes of the toothbrush should also extend to the soft tissue lining between your teeth in order to clean it effectively.

Tilt your brush vertically behind the front and bottom teeth and use only the front half of the brush to make gentle rolling strokes.

9. Brushing at the wrong angle

Make short circular strokes while holding your brush at a 45-degree angle. This is the best angle for a thorough clean.

The bristles are angled at this angle to provide superior cleaning below and above the gum line. Clean between the teeth and gums with the center row of bristles. Cleaning the gum line properly prevents discoloration as well as cavities and gum disease.

10. Using the same tooth brushing routine

Brushing our teeth is a habit that we have developed over time. We end up brushing the same areas over and over again, and we forget about other areas out of habit.

Start from a different location and follow an irregular pattern to mix things up. It will prevent you from becoming sluggish by the time you reach the end of your brushing routine.

The benefit of using an electric toothbrush is that you only need to guide it, and it will reach those hard-to-reach areas in your mouth with less effort.

11. Brushing more than twice per day

It is not necessary to brush your teeth more frequently than twice per day. Some people believe it is acceptable to brush their teeth three or four times per day, usually after each meal. Brushing your teeth more than twice a day can harm your gums and erode the enamel on your teeth, which is not something you want.

For those struggling with the effects of poor oral hygiene having either missing teeth, cavities or simply unhappy with the color of your teeth. We offer clip-on veneers allowing you to achieve a brighter smile without the need for a dentist. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens when you don't brush your teeth?

Brushing your teeth removes plaque and bacteria that build up on your teeth and around your gum line. Plaque can cause cavities, tooth decay, and even periodontal disease if it isn't removed regularly. Brushing your teeth properly can help protect your teeth from decay and disease.

Nobody wants to deal with the discomfort and costs associated with tooth decay and disease. Begin by brushing properly to implement preventative oral care. Brushing your teeth properly can keep your smile fresh, healthy, and happy with daily flossing.

How to brush your teeth?

Brush your teeth twice a day for about 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste to help keep your teeth and mouth healthy.

Plaque is a bacterial film that forms on your teeth if you don't brush them thoroughly. Gum disease and tooth decay are both caused by it.

Plaque is prevented by brushing teeth. Make an effort to clean all surfaces of your teeth.

What time of day should I brush my teeth?

It is best to brush your teeth in the morning and at night. This helps remove any food or drink that you may have consumed during the day.

Is it worth getting dentures?

Dentures are worth considering if you are missing teeth. They can improve your ability to eat and speak, and they can give you a more youthful appearance. Dentures can be made to closely match the color and shape of your natural teeth, so no one will be able to tell that you're wearing them. Here's where to buy fake teeth that look real.