Even though it may appear to be simple, few of us wash our teeth as thoroughly as we could. Fortunately, where there are errors, there are means to correct them.
1. You chose the incorrect brush.
How can you pick a brush from your local supermarket's mind-boggling selection?
Make sure your brush can reach the areas that need to be covered, says Kimberly Harms, a dentist from Farmington, Minnesota. You should be able to access that area with a toothbrush. It can be a manual or a power toothbrush. But there is one rule, according to Harms, that cannot be changed.
The one thing we absolutely insist on — and it's critical — is that it has gentle bristles," she explains. The bristles have to flex a little bit to get right beneath that gum."
The brush's head size is also significant, especially if you have a small mouth. Brushes come in a variety of handle sizes and angles. Some people are more adaptable than others.
Dentists believe that the bristles that eliminate microorganisms and release plaque from your teeth and gums are the most important portion. Gum disease and tooth decay can both be caused by plaque.
Sometimes people believe that the harder the bristles are, the better. But that isn't always the case, according to Maricelle Abayon, a dentist at the Eastman Institute for Oral Health in Rochester, New York.
Soft bristles are more effective than stiff brushes at cleaning. The harsh bristles might actually wear down the structure of your teeth.
Also look for the stamp of approval from the American Dental Association on your new brush.
2. You are in a hurry.
Brush your teeth for two minutes at least twice a day. However, you're running late for school or job. Or maybe you just want to go to bed. You should shorten your brushing every now and then.
Don’t.
"Back in the day, we used to recommend using an egg timer or something like that," Messina explains. "However, everyone now has this lovely device called a cell phone on their person all the time." It's fine if you want to use a timer and set it for two minutes.
She observes that "a lot of young folks are wandering about with headphones on." "Your average pop song is in the 2-3 minute range if you can leave your headphones in and put on a song." You've definitely been in there long enough if you brush while listening to one of your favorite tunes."
3. You've been holding on for far too long.
It can be difficult to give up a decent toothbrush once you've discovered one. However, if the bristles get discolored, bent, or dirty-looking, it's time to toss the brush.
When the bristles become frayed, it loses its effectiveness. So, at the very least, change it every 3 to 4 months. It's also a good idea not to tell anyone about your brush. When it's wet, keep it out in the open to prevent mold or germs from forming on it.
4. You gnash your teeth like a maniac.
Harder isn't always better when it comes to brushing.
"I believe that one of the most common problems is that people try to brush their teeth too aggressively. They feel like if they really don’t go at the teeth, like they’re trying to clean the grout in their bathroom tile, that they’re not doing the right job,” says Matt Messina, a dentist from Fairview Park, OH.
You don't have to scrub the plaque since it's soft and loose, according to Messina.
"The simplest method to solve this is to replace the conceptual issue of' scrub' and' scrub brush' with the word'massage."
5. You make a back-and-forth motion.
Brushing your teeth from left to right is a common brushing blunder. Again, consider massage rather than scrub.
Sangeeta Gajendra, a dentist at the Eastman Institute for Oral Health in Rochester, NY, recommends "starting from the gum and going up and down" in small circular, up-and-down motions. She claims that if you perform it incorrectly, it will not assist you.
"In reality, you can cause harm," she claims.
6. You don't pay attention to the gum line.
Bacteria frequently congregate where your tooth and gum contact. We miss that part of the country a lot.
"You want to kind of go under there, just about a millimeter, maybe 2 or 3 millimeters, right under the gum," Harms adds. "As a result, the bristle must be able to bend."
Brushing your teeth, it turns out, entails brushing each and every one of them. Or, at the very least, all that you can reach with your brush. That includes the area just beneath the gums.
"We spend more time on the chewing surface and don't get down to the gum line," says Hans Malmstrom, a Rochester, NY dentist. "One of the most typical mistakes is not brushing along the gum line."
How do you go about doing that? It's not difficult.
Make use of the perspective. "We usually recommend angling the brush against the gumline at a 45-degree angle," Malmstrom explains. That'll get you to the gum line. Then go over the rest of the tooth with up-and-down strokes.
To get the interior of your front teeth, tilt the brush up and down. Don't forget to brush your teeth and your tongue. Bacteria will be eradicated as a result.
Keep the tongue-side in mind. Oh, yes. Everyone receives the visible section of their teeth, the exterior. Everyone also brushes the chewing surfaces.
But what about the inside, the tongue-side? Not at all.
"Most individuals don't brush the tongue side of their teeth," explains Seattle dentist Andy Marashi. "It's a piece of cake. A line of irritation appears. Not to mention the dirt that collects and hardens into calculus."
7. You enter the room too soon.
It's tempting to dash to the restroom as soon as possible to get rid of the residue of that meal you just devoured. Brushing is preferable to not brushing at all.
However, Marashi advises that you take a step back.
He explains, "You have acid in your mouth and now you're using abrasives." "So you're assisting the acid in eroding your tooth?
But how long should you hold your breath? Marashi estimates that it will take 15 to 20 minutes. That will give your saliva enough time to neutralize the acid before you dive in.
"Or rinse your mouth with water before brushing to get rid of some of the acid," he suggests.
8. You don't make everything wonderful all of the time.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day for 2 minutes each time. Every single day. Don't let up on the pressure.
But, as Messina points out, it's also crucial to make sure that at least one of those occasions is exceptional. That includes brushing, flossing, mouthwash, and everything else.
"We can keep the germs less prolific and hazardous if we go in and stir them up once every 24 hours," he explains.
Other daily breaks are also vital, such as brushing your teeth to get rid of the spinach stuck between your teeth or freshening up after that onion lunch.
"However, once a day, a nice thorough brushing-flossing-rinsing does wonders," Messina explains.