Brushing your teeth 2-3 times a day is a great way to ensure that your oral health remains in good standing. Whereas neglecting to brush your teeth, gums and tongue can lead to a series of oral health complications, including periodontal disease, inflammation as well as cavities and root canals. It’s so important that when brushing your teeth, you follow proper brushing techniques. Today we’ll look at five common mistakes you may be making when brushing your teeth:
You Missed A Spot
Think about everything you consume in a day and how you use your entire mouth to chew and swallow food and drinks. When you brush your teeth, you have to take the entirety of your mouth into consideration and brush all exposed surfaces, including the front and back of your teeth as well as around the gumline.
Neglecting Your Tongue
Your tongue is a determining factor in the condition of your oral health. Your tongue does wonderful things, like assists in the production of saliva and is responsible for the taste buds, which allow you to enjoy the flavour of your favourite foods and drinks. However, your tongue will also harbour harmful bacteria and germs that can contribute to poor oral health and bad breath, also known as halitosis. Be sure to purchase a tongue scraper to remove those harmful germs and plaque.
Timing Is Everything
Timing is everything when it comes to brushing your teeth, you don’t want to brush them for too long, and you don’t want to brush them for too short of a time. We recommend that all our patients spend a maximum of 2 minutes on brushing your teeth and divide that time into four quadrants. Spend 25 seconds on each corner of your mouth, and the remainder of the time brushing your tongue.
Using an Old Toothbrush
We have encountered many patients that are adamant that they brush 2-3 times a day and floss after meals, and therefore, should not have any cavities or oral health complications. However, what they don’t tell us is that they’ve been using the same toothbrush for the last six months. It is our professional recommendation that you replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months or when bristles begin to bend or fall out of the toothbrush.
Brushing Too Soon After Eating
Many dental patients tell us that they brush their teeth immediately after eating, but doing this can be counterproductive in establishing a healthy mouth. We recommend waiting half an hour (30 minutes) before brushing your teeth after a meal to prevent enamel loss.
As always, be sure to visit your family dentist for routine check-ups, two times a year, to ensure your oral health is in good standing. For more information on proper brushing techniques, contact Burlington Dental Centre today!