Common Tooth Brushing Mistakes And How To Avoid Them
Don’t skimp on this important personal hygiene routine!
Here at your local friendly Abbey Road dentist, we are a very modern practice with all of the latest dental equipment and techniques you would expect to find. However, at our heart are the basics of tooth care.
Ways of caring for the teeth that you might consider to be obvious or standard, are actually at the very heart of modern dentistry, even as we know it today. For example, brushing is actually an important process that can be very easy to get right, but also very easy to get wrong as well.
When you visit us at our St John’s Wood clinic we will advise you on how best to care for your teeth with brushing and other techniques. In the meantime, we thought you might find these common tooth-brushing mistakes and ways to avoid them really useful:
Use The Right Brush
Picking the cheapest toothbrush, the brush with the nicest patterns or the brush that looks fanciest might not be the best choice, because it might look good but it might not work the best for you. Consider the size of your mouth – if you need to make a real effort to open wide enough to get the brush on all the teeth, especially hard to reach ones, the brush might be a bit too big for you. The brush should feel comfortable in your mouth and in your hand so that you will enjoy using it and actively want to brush your teeth. The bristles should also be considered, as really hard ones can hurt your gums, but a really soft one might not do the job properly. An electric toothbrush is not necessarily the better option for everyone, although it does make the job easier, especially if you have mobility issues with your hands, neck, shoulders or arms.
Brush For Long Enough
Brushing twice a day is great, but are you brushing for long enough at a time? You need to thoroughly brush your teeth for at least two minutes each time, spending around 30 seconds on each section of mouth.
Don’t Brush Too Much
As much as it is important to brush at least twice a day, it is important to avoid brushing any more than 3 times a day because this can wear the enamel down and cause gum damage.
Do It Right
You can always improve your tooth brushing technique, especially as there are lots of ways to get the technique wrong. Brushing too wide up and down or side to side can damage the gums. Bearing down too much can also damage the gums. Not brushing in the right way can leave plaque in certain areas. You should hold the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle in relation to your gums and brush up and down with short strokes. Take care to also brush the tongue and focus on those hard to reach areas, as any plaque that builds up will cause damage when left alone.
Change Your Routine
Most of us will start brushing in the same place every time, which often means that one area gets brushed the most thoroughly and wherever is last doesn’t get as much attention as it should. Change where you start brushing regularly to avoid this happening.
Don’t Rush To Brush After You Have Indulged In Acidic Foods
If you eat any sugar or acidic foods, you must take care not to brush straight away afterwards. Your teeth are naturally softened after you have eaten these types of food and brushing straight after you have eaten them will soften enamel. Wait at least half an hour before brushing after eating these foods so that your saliva has chance to deal with the acid.
Look After Your Brush
Keep your brush stood up in a holder, not flat down on surfaces. Even if the surface is clean it might have cleaning product residue on it, which isn’t something you want to consume. It is also important to let the brush dry fully so it isn’t wet and doesn’t grow bacteria. Brushes used during a cold or illness should be thrown away and replaced.
Replace Regularly
Take care to replace your brush regularly – every 3 months or when the bristles look frayed, whichever comes first.
Visit Your Abbey Road dentist For More Advice On Caring For Your Teeth
If you want to talk to us more about caring for your teeth, are due a checkup, or want to talk about a specific treatment or dental issue, please give us a call on 02076241603 and we will be more than happy to get you booked in.