Ever since we are young children, we are taught that we need to pay attention to our dental hygiene. We know that we need to brush our teeth regularly and that we need to pay attention to the things we eat, but no one ever tells us the mistakes that we need to avoid and why we should do it. In this article, we are going to talk about common dental hygiene mistakes and how to avoid them.
1. Brushing for a short amount of time
The first thing we are going to talk about is the amount of time you should spend brushing your teeth. A lot of people make the mistake of brushing their teeth for 10 to 20 seconds and they think that just because they ran the brush over all of their teeth, their job is done.
In reality, you won’t do anything if you don’t brush them for about two minutes, and you should never scrub too fast or too harsh. Take your time and don’t forget to pay attention to the gums as well.
2. Brushing your teeth for too long
On a really similar note, you should never brush your teeth for too long as well. After some time, there won’t be a point in continuing, and you just risk making your gums bleed. You should find the appropriate amount of time depending on your age, your overall dental habits, and the number of times you clean your teeth per day.
You should never clean them for more than two or two and a half minutes, and if you feel the need to scrub too often or too harsh, that may be a sign of an underlying condition. If you need to apply a lot of pressure, and if you constantly feel like there is something stuck between your teeth, it probably means that you should consult your dentist and go get your teeth and gums checked.
3. Using a brush that is too harsh
Many people make the mistake of thinking that just because you can feel your teeth and gums being sore from cleaning them, it does not mean that you are doing a good job. You should never press too hard, and you should never make your gums bleed on purpose. By being rough, you are not doing a better job.
Note that you should pay attention to the brush and the bristles you use. They should not make your gums bleed, and you should never use force. Most of the things that are stuck inside our mouth will get removed with a gentle and swift motion, so there is no need for you to press too hard. When you do this every day, you will just do a lot of damage and you risk cavities and gum diseases.
According to mynazarethdentist.com, if you damage your gums and if you strip your teeth from their protective cover, they may start breaking or getting bad too quickly. Talk to your dentist about the right type of brush you should use, especially if you have any type of dental issues.
4. Not changing the brush
If you want to protect your teeth in every possible way, you need to take care of your brush as well. There is no point in cleaning your mouth the proper way if the tools you are using are not good. Because of this, first, you need to store the brush properly. Don’t put it out in the open, and never keep it near the toilet. You should use a protective cover, but you should also make sure there is no moisture trapped in it.
In case you notice that the bristles are splaying outwards or inwards, it is time to change the brush. Note that even if it is in perfect condition you should change it after a couple of months. If you notice damages or discoloration, it is also time to replace it.
5. Not flossing
Now let’s talk about flossing. We all know we should do it, but we tend to forget to do it regularly. When you floss, you do not only promote better dental health, but you will also make sure that there are no foods left between your teeth.
You should do this at least twice per day, and on the same note, you should never floss too hard. Just like with the toothbrushes, the point is not to damage your teeth and gums. There is a correct way to floss, and if you are not sure how you should do it, you can always talk to your dentist and ask them to show you the correct way.
6. Not paying attention to the tongue
One thing that will make the biggest difference is cleaning your tongue. This is a part of our mouth that we always forget about, but in reality, it can cause the most issues. Our tongue collects a lot of bacteria and in some cases, food can get stuck on it as well.
If you don’t clean it regularly, you risk all that bacteria getting on your gums and teeth and damaging them. Use a special type of brush or tool that is made for cleaning your tongue, never press too harshly, and take your time to clean it.
7. Brushing right after a meal
The last thing we are going to talk about is when you are supposed to clean your teeth. Many people believe that if they run to the bathroom right after they finish a meal, they will protect their teeth. In reality, when you combine the leftovers from your food, the fact that you are producing much more saliva now, and the abrasive materials in the toothpaste, you will end up damaging your teeth.
If you want to do the right thing for yourself, then you should wait between 15 and 30 minutes after you finish your meal. If you cannot wait that long, it is better to just rinse your mouth right after the meal, and brush your teeth after half an hour.
Don’t forget to rinse your mouth after brushing your teeth, cleaning your tongue, or flossing. Drinking enough water can help your teeth stay healthy. By spending less than 10 minutes per day taking care of your dental hygiene you will look better, be healthier, and in the long run, you will be much happier as well.