You already know that brushing your teeth is an essential part of good oral hygiene. Your biggest mistake when it comes to your teeth would not be brushing at all!
But despite the benefits of a daily brushing routine, you could actually be causing your teeth more harm than good when using your toothbrush.
How so? Check out the following mistakes and if you can relate to any of them, now is the time to correct any of your brushing errors.
Mistake #1: Brushing too hard
It’s not the force of your toothbrush that helps to clean your teeth so don’t assume you will remove more plaque or food debris if you brush your teeth vigorously. If you do apply a lot of force, you could wear out the enamel on your teeth and you could damage your gums too. This is something a dentist will tell you should they notice signs of damage so brush gently, as you will still be able to clean your teeth effectively.
Mistake #2: Using a hard-bristled toothbrush
Hard-bristled toothbrushes last longer than the soft-bristled variety but they are rarely recommended for daily use. If you do use something with hard bristles, you could run into the same dental problems we mentioned in the last point so you would be doing your teeth more harm than good. Replace your toothbrush with something softer, especially if your dentist recommends this to you.
Mistake #3: Using an old toothbrush
You should replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months, so if you have had yours for any longer than that, now is the time to buy yourself a new one. Toothbrushes lose their effectiveness over time, not only because the bristles wear out but because they can become unhygienic to use. You won’t be able to protect your teeth if you rely on something you have used for months, so no matter how much you have become attached to your toothbrush, know that it’s only good for the trash can when those bristles start to flatten.
Mistake #4: Rushing when you’re brushing
The next time you’re brushing your teeth set yourself a timer. It’s good practice to brush for around two minutes as this way, you will have time to focus on every section of your mouth. If you rush when you brush, you could miss certain teeth or you might fail to brush away every piece of food or sugar that has accumulated around your teeth and gums. So, no matter how busy you are, never be too busy to give your teeth the care that they need.
Mistake #5: Brushing your teeth too much
Over-brushing can be as bad as under-brushing as you could wear down the enamel on your teeth if you stand too long in front of the mirror or if you brush more than three times a day. You can do other things to clean your teeth throughout the day, such as flossing and rinsing with water, so don’t assume you need to brush your teeth on a too-regular basis.
Is your toothbrush showing signs of age? Are you guilty of over-brushing or under-brushing your teeth? If so, correct your mistakes today as you will do much to improve your oral health if you can avoid these or any other kinds of brushing errors.
