According to the Oral Health Foundation, around three in four (74%) adults have had a tooth extracted and almost one in three (31%) adults have tooth decay due to bad oral health.
While everyone understands the need to brush their teeth on a daily basis, you may be making simple dental mistakes that are preventing your mouth from being as clean as it could be.
The experts at Doop have researched and revealed a list of common mistakes you never knew you were making when it comes to your dental hygiene routine.
Oral hygiene mistakes – Not brushing for long enough
Brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day is advised, and many people don’t brush for that long. Brush your teeth for the whole two minutes; if you can’t tell how long you’ve been brushing, set a timer on your phone or keep an eye on the clock.
Oral hygiene mistakes – Brushing Too Hard
Though it may appear that scrubbing your teeth firmly and rapidly will make them cleaner, it is preferable to apply a much gentler touch. Whenever you apply too much force to your teeth, the enamel begins to wear away and your gums begin to recede. Brush with a gentler touch to avoid this.
Oral hygiene mistakes – Wait before you brush
Brushing your teeth immediately after eating acidic foods generally drives acid further into your teeth, causing erosion and enamel degradation. The American Dental Association suggests brushing your teeth 60 minutes after eating, enabling your saliva to neutralise any acid, resulting in the greatest overall clean.
Oral hygiene mistakes – Using an old toothbrush
If the bristles on your toothbrush are overused, it will not be as efficient as it can be. If you can’t remember when you started using it, replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head every 3 months. If you can’t recall when you began using it, think of it as replacing every season.
Oral hygiene mistakes – You’re Not Using the Right Toothbrush
Brushes come in a range of sizes, shapes, and stiffnesses; choosing the appropriate one for your needs is important. Choose a brush with a soft bristle if you have sensitive gums. You might use a smaller brush if you have a small mouth or teeth. Regardless of what you are comfortable with, using harsh bristles on a regular basis is generally not advised.
Oral hygiene mistakes – Not Brushing Your Teeth At Night
Neglecting brushing at night before climbing into bed can lead to bad breath and bacteria to remain inside the mouth. Bacteria can combine with food debris inside the mouth causing an acid build up which is responsible for tooth decay. Brushing your teeth at night is just as essential as brushing your teeth in the morning.
Oral hygiene mistakes – Not using dental floss
Flossing should be done at least once a day to eliminate plaque between your teeth that your toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing cleans the crevices between your teeth of dirt and possibly dangerous bacteria while also stimulating your gums. Without proper flossing habits, you could be facing oral health problems including cavities, gum disease, and even potential tooth loss.
Using the Wrong Motion
Another typical error individuals make when cleaning their teeth is moving their toothbrush back and forth along to the gum line. Instead, clean your teeth correctly by beginning at the gums and brushing your toothbrush in little circles.This helps clean the surfaces of your teeth without causing damage to the enamel or irritation to your gums.
Forgetting the gums
Everyone should be aware that the gum line can be a breeding ground for germs and plaque. These are to blame for future gum bleeding and pain, so don’t forget to clean the gum line. Allow the bristles to enter the gums and clean the region with delicate circular strokes while keeping the brush bent at a 45-degree angle.
Rinsing Your Mouth With Water After Brushing Teeth
Some of you may feel compelled to rinse your mouth out of practice. Instead of water, use a fluoride-containing mouthwash or mouth rinse. Rinse, gargle, and spit out the mouthwash, and you should be perfectly fine. However, do not use water. You can spit the toothpaste out, but the instant water enters the equation, the fluoride in your toothpaste loses its effectiveness.