Ready to take your oral hygiene routine to the next level? For a cleaner and healthier smile, here are three common mistakes to avoid when brushing your teeth.
Using the Wrong Toothbrush
Choosing the right toothbrush is key to a strong oral hygiene routine. Regardless of whether you prefer an electric or manual toothbrush, your toothbrush should be comfortable to use and reach all the areas of your mouth.
Comfortable Handle
Be sure to look for a handle that fits nicely in your hand, allowing you better maneuverability to reach all of the hard to reach areas of your mouth. A toothbrush with a handle that's too long or bulky will prevent you from brushing as well as you should.
Small Brush Head
Typically it's a good idea to choose a toothbrush with a smaller brush head. A smaller toothbrush head allows you to more easily clean those hard to reach areas at the very back of your mouth and behind your front teeth.
Soft Bristles
For most people, a toothbrush with soft bristles tends to be the best option. If you have signs of enamel erosion or particularly sensitive teeth your dentist may even suggest that you use a toothbrush with extra-soft bristles.
Brushing Too Hard
Many people believe that brushing thoroughly means brushing hard, but the fact is that brushing harder doesn't mean that you're brushing better!
Be kind to your teeth and gums. Think of brushing as massaging your teeth and gums and try to avoid brushing too hard.
Vigorous scrubbing just isn't necessary since plaque tends to be fairly soft, loose and easy to remove. Practice brushing gently, your teeth and gums will thank you.
Not Brushing for Long Enough
If you want to be sure that your teeth are thoroughly cleaned it's important not to rush when brushing. Most dentists recommend brushing for a full two minutes, at least twice daily. If you've been speeding through your oral hygiene routine you may be surprised at how long two minutes actually is.
Some models of electric toothbrushes now come with built-in times. These handy timers will let you know when you have completed your two minutes of brushing. Of course, you could always use your watch, an egg timer, or your phone to time yourself.
Try to spend about thirty seconds on each quadrant of your mouth. Remember to brush both the backs and the fronts of your teeth while working on each quadrant.
And of course, once you've finished brushing don't forget to spend a few seconds flossing!