Common Dental Hygiene Mistakes

You might be brushing your teeth twice each day and have been doing it for several years but you might be doing it all wrong. Oral health experts stated people don’t always do their hygiene routines properly. Some of the mistakes include brushing too hard or using the same toothbrush for several years.

Keeping the mouth healthy will not just affect the breath or smile but also prevent more serious diseases such as cancer. A study connected using mouthwash instead of brushing the teeth can increase the risk of cancer. Below are the common oral hygiene mistakes.

Brushing Too Long

Dentists said that brushing to often will do more harm than good because it erodes the enamel on the teeth. They recommended brushing twice or thrice each day and for just two minutes for each session.

Brushing Too Hard

Teeth might be strong but the gums are sensitive. Brushing them too hard will cause damage. The soft tissue is pushed back and exposes the root area. The bristles of the toothbrush must be angled toward the gum line. Brushing the teeth must be done in small circular movements. Dentists recommend using electric toothbrushes because they provide even pressure.

Brushing After Eating

Dentists don’t recommend brushing right away after eating, especially if you ate something acidic. The mouth must do its part and allow saliva to naturally neutralize the acids, which takes around 30 minutes.

Brushing Just the Teeth

Bad bacteria that give you bad breath don’t just stay on the teeth. They also present on the cheeks and tongue. Ensure that you also brush the other areas of the mouth.

Brushing with Wrong Toothbrush

You should not use medium or hard toothbrush to brush your teeth. You should look for ones that are labeled as soft in order to prevent gum recession.

Photo by Milenafoto (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons