Did you know that only 2 out of 10 people really care for their teeth in a proper way? The rest still make a lot of mistakes, even if brushing regularly. It would seem that there is nothing easier - just brush your teeth twice a day, and everything will be fine. However, in reality everything is not so simple. What is the proper way to brush the teeth? Just try to avoid these 9 major mistakes when brushing your teeth.
1. Wrong choice of a toothbrush.
The ideal option is a brush with a medium length handle, nylon bristles and protrusions for cleaning the tongue. The hardness of bristles plays an important role. It is generally recommended to choose a brush with soft bristles. Ideally, the tips of these bristles should be rounded. Better if the brush head was movable. It is also desirable to replace the brush with a new one every 3 months.
2. The importance of the toothpaste.
All you need for a good cleaning is a small pea sized amount of the toothpaste. Do not squeeze out everything that could fit on the brush. Remember that there are many different types of toothpastes. If you have cavities, it is better to choose products with fluoride content (if you are not living in areas with fluorinated water). In case of sensitive tooth enamel and bleeding gums, the toothpaste for sensitive teeth will suit you accordingly. It is better to buy such products in pharmacies. It is also recommended to periodically change the toothpastes.
3. Not brushing regularly.
As you know, it is better to brush your teeth at least twice a day. The optimal amount of cleansing is three times a day. It is better to brush your teeth in the morning after breakfast and in the evening after dinner. You can also clean your teeth in the afternoon or use the rinse. It is not recommended to brush your teeth more than three times a day, as this can harm your tooth enamel.
4. Avoiding flossing
Usually, such dental diseases as caries affect the sides of the teeth. This is due to the fact that food usually accumulates between the teeth. The fact is that it is extremely problematic to clean these hard-to-reach areas with a brush. Therefore, dentists recommend using dental floss regularly after meals.
5. Poor brushing technique.
To properly clean your teeth, it is highly advisable to follow the following guidelines.
• Hold the brush to your teeth at an angle of about 45 degrees. Then start cleaning the outer surface of your molars. You should brush with vertical movements.
• After that, you should clean the inside of the molars – do so with smooth circular motion.
• Then you should use dental floss to clean the areas between the teeth.
• It is advisable to rinse your mouth at least 3 times a day with special rinsing liquids.
By following these techniques you would save yourself many visits to your dentist.
6. Forgetting about washing the brush
Due to the fact that we constantly use our toothbrush, bacteria and particles of plaque accumulate on its bristles. These bacteria begin to actively proliferate and re-enter your mouth during the next brushing. This can lead to inflammatory diseases. For this reason, it is important to thoroughly wash your toothbrush at least several times a week.
7. It is better to choose electric brushes.
Nowadays, there are many kinds of toothbrushes available on the market. One of the most popular kinds is the electric toothbrush, where the head with bristles rotates by itself, and you just need to move it along the teeth. It is convenient and practical. However, you can also effectively get rid of plaque with a regular toothbrush, especially if you follow the proper tooth cleaning technique. It is also important to mention that people with sensitive enamel and gums should not use electric brush on a daily basis.
8. Chewing gum instead of brushing
It is true that a chewing gum after a meal is a good and convenient option to get rid of bad breath and food debris on the teeth. Naturally, we are talking about a gum without added sugars. However, this option will not replace your full cleaning, as chewing gum cleans only the inner part of the teeth, while the other sides of the tooth are left without the necessary attention.
9. Improper storage
Many people store their toothbrushes in glasses that stand on shelves in the bathroom. Often in these rooms there is a toilet. Few people know that when flushing water in the toilet, bacteria are released into the air within a radius of two meters. Often these harmful microorganisms are deposited on our toothbrushes. For this reason, ideally, you should keep the brushes in closed cases, away from the toilet room and use a suitable disinfectant solution before cleaning.
As you can see, all these mistakes when brushing your teeth are fairly simple and often trivial. Fortunately, getting rid of them is quite easy. It is enough to pay a little more attention to how you brush your teeth. Try to apply all the above recommendations in practice. Good luck!
