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Xavier Bourquin
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8 MISTAKES WE MAKE WHEN BRUSHING TOOTH
Dental smile gives you some tips for brushing your teeth properly
brush your teeth
It is very important to brush your teeth to avoid cavities and bad breath. But what if it turns out that the way we do it may actually increase the risk of tooth decay?
Most patients listen to their doctor’s advice when brushing their teeth, but make mistakes when carrying it out, leading to unsatisfactory results for their personal oral hygiene.
Here are some of the most common mistakes when brushing your teeth.
1. Wrong approach to brushing teeth
You should hold your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to the surfaces and make small circular motions. You can perform horizontal movements only for the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Focus on a small area then move on to another. You start brushing your teeth from the gums to the teeth (from the red area to the white area).
2. Improper selection of toothbrushing
It is very important to use a suitable toothbrush. A soft brush is good for sensitive teeth and gums, but it doesn’t clean well enough. Hard, on the other hand, can injure soft tissue.
The best option is a medium brush (medium hardness). You can also use an electric toothbrush, but not all the time. The toothbrush retains microorganisms (streptococci and staphylococci), so it must be replaced every three months or when its fibers are deformed.
3. Wrong choice of toothpaste to clean teeth
Every toothpaste is different. Some take care of the sensitivity of your teeth, others strengthen the gums, while others whiten and maintain the color of the teeth.
There are also abrasive pastes that are not recommended for frequent use. To find out which toothpaste is right for your teeth, consult your dentist.
4. When you don't brush long enough
The optimal time we recommend for brushing teeth is 2-3 minutes. You can use a timer or an electric brush with a counter to make sure you spend enough time.
5. You brush your teeth too hard.
Pressing with the brush on the teeth does not mean that you brush them better. On the contrary, it is much more likely to damage tooth enamel and cause future cervical malformations. Gum sensitivity may also occur.
6. You don't watch how you clean your teeth.
It is important to look in the mirror at how you brush your teeth. The line between the gum and the tooth is particularly important, where dental plaque is retained and can cause periodontal disease. Make sure the brush head of your teeth reaches the back teeth and cleans their chewing surfaces well. If something is bothering you, you notice staining, discoloration, abrasion, a broken part of a filling or a tooth, talk to your dentist.
7. You don't use dental floss or interdental brushing
The interdental brush or floss penetrates the interdental spaces, where food debris or plaque most often accumulates. This is where cavities most often develop at the contact points between the teeth. The use of these oral agents may reduce the risk of cavities.
Consult your dentist for the interdental brush number to use and how to floss.
8. You don't use mouthwashes or oral hygiene gels to brush your teeth
The use of mouthwash is extremely important for good oral hygiene.
We recommend using antibacterial water, but not every day. One day, two or the first 10 days of the month is enough, as the ingredients in the mouthwash also kill the bacteria necessary to maintain your oral health.
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