3 Common Brushing Mistakes To Avoid
Eating well, visiting your dentist as recommended, and brushing and flossing your teeth are all essential tasks if you want to have a healthy set of teeth and gums. In most cases, you may think you are doing enough to care for your mouth, teeth, and gums, but most people are not actually brushing their teeth, gums, and tongue properly. This guide will help you understand the common mistakes you may be making while brushing your teeth.
Not Brushing Enough
Again, most people know they need to brush their teeth. If you are like many people, you may focus on brushing right before bed, believing this is sufficient for removing food particles from the teeth and gums. Unfortunately, brushing just once right before bed is not enough.
Experts recommend brushing twice a day for two minutes at a time to fully remove food residue and plaque from the teeth, gums, and tongue. If you have ever timed yourself while brushing your teeth, you may be surprised to learn how long two minutes can feel. However, it is the appropriate amount of time to fully clean and care for your teeth.
Consider making your oral hygiene a part of your morning and nightly routines. Use your smartphone to set a timer to ensure you are not only brushing in the morning and at night but that you are also brushing for a long enough time.
Not Brushing your Gums/Tongue
Like mentioned briefly above, your teeth are not the only part of your mouth you should be brushing. When you eat, food particles will build up on your gum tissues, tongue, and interior of your mouth. You may think rinsing will remove this residue, but that is not true, so you do need to spend some part of the two minutes brushing your gums, tongue, and inside walls of your mouth.
After brushing, rinse out the interior of your mouth too. This will remove any leftover toothpaste, food, and plaque that may be lingering inside the mouth.
Not Replacing your Toothbrush
Finally, not replacing your toothbrush is another common mistake many people make. Over time, the bristles of your brush will bend, warp, wear down, and break off. In addition, food, plaque, and bacteria will linger in your bristles, which makes you brush your teeth with dirty bristles that may be causing more harm than good.
For the best care of your mouth, teeth, and gums, experts recommend replacing your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months. If it appears visibly worn even before that timeframe, replace it.
For more information on caring for your teeth, contact a local dentist.