To maintain good oral hygiene, you must brush your teeth twice daily. We all know that, but while brushing is important, it’s also easy to make mistakes that can damage your teeth and gums—and even lead to more serious problems down the road.
There are some common mistakes people make when they brush their teeth. These mistakes can impact your overall health and well-being. So today, we’re going to talk about three of the most common mistakes people make while brushing their teeth and how to avoid them!
Mistake #1: Not Brushing Your Teeth for Long Enough
It’s easy to get distracted by the TV or your phone while you brush, but you need to remember that it takes at least two minutes of brushing for your teeth to be clean. If you’re rushing through it, you might be doing more harm than good! Make sure you take your time with each section of your mouth—and don’t forget those pesky spots between your teeth!
Not brushing your teeth for long enough can lead to damage to the teeth’s enamel, resulting in an increase in cavities and gum disease.
Why is two minutes an important time to keep in mind?
Well, two minutes is actually the perfect amount of time to remove the right amount of plaque from your teeth whilst not stripping them of their natural protection. This means if you’re brushing for less time, issues can start to develop, like gum disease, which can eventually lead to tooth loss.
Mistake #2: Brushing Too Hard
This is one of the most common mistakes people make when they brush their teeth. Brushing too hard can make your teeth more sensitive and cause damage to your gums, which can lead to bleeding and pain. Instead, try using a soft toothbrush with a small head that fits more easily between your teeth.
If you’re using a soft toothbrush but still having issues, we recommend using an electric toothbrush with a light feature. This feature is designed to light up when you are brushing your teeth too hard. Using this kind of toothbrush also means that you can slowly move the toothbrush from tooth to tooth with less force, letting the brush do the work and keeping your teeth healthy.
Mistake #3: Not Flossing After Brushing Your Teeth
Flossing is an essential step in keeping your mouth healthy and preventing cavities. However, many people don’t realise the importance of flossing until they develop a problem like gum disease or a cavity. Flossing after every meal will help keep plaque from building up on your teeth over time and causing more significant problems in the long run!
We prefer using a ‘Te-Pe’ brush to get that leftover food out from in-between our teeth, as you can choose the right size for your teeth’s size and shape.
How do you use a Te-Pe brush?
The first teeth you will want to target are your front teeth. Choose the appropriate-sized brush for the gap in-between your teeth and gently move it full length back and forth a few times.
To target your back teeth, if you use a smaller Te-Pe brush, slightly curve the neck, as this allows you to add pressure with a finger and reach between your back teeth. If you use a larger Te-Pe brush, you may improve access between the back teeth if you slightly curve the wire.
To prolong the life of Te-Pe brushes, it is best not to bend or straighten the wire to be different from the original shape every day. You can buy a TePe Angled brush, which is pre-bent to fit into your back teeth.
How can I keep my mouth healthy?
The best way to avoid the mistakes we have discussed is to focus on brushing your teeth for at least two minutes in the morning and evening. Limit the distractions around you and spend those minutes focusing on getting your teeth brushed correctly.
If you’re looking for advice on how to keep your oral hygiene as healthy as it can be, download our FREE guide for The ultimate ‘At-Home’ healthy mouth.
Alternatively, if you have any queries on issues you’re currently facing, contact the surgery on 0114 317 7002, and a member of our friendly team will be able to talk you through any questions you have.
