Are You Making These Dental Hygiene Mistakes?

 

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There’s more to dental hygiene than brushing your teeth every day. Below are some of the common mistakes many of us make with dental hygiene. Are you guilty of these mistakes?

This is a collaborative post

Brushing once per day

Brushing once per day is better than not brushing daily - however you should ideally be brushing twice per day. Brushing your teeth in the evening is important for getting rid of any plaque you may accumulate throughout the day while eating. You should also brush teeth in the morning - while you may not be eating anything during the night, bacteria can often build up in the mouth at night due to reduced saliva production, which could lead to decay. 

Not brushing long enough

A lot of us brush our teeth for 30 seconds, but this isn’t enough time to thoroughly clean your teeth. To give each tooth the thorough brushing it needs, you should ideally be brushing your teeth for two minutes in the morning and two minutes at night. Consider using a timer to make sure you’re brushing for this length of time. 

Brushing too hard

It’s possible to brush your teeth too hard. This can actually end up removing enamel from your teeth! If you have a thorough brushing routine, but your teeth are yellow and sensitive, it could be a sign that you’re brushing too hard. Avoid brushing in a vigorous back-and-forth motion and instead brush each tooth in small circles. 

Not replacing your toothbrush

A lot of us don’t replace our toothbrush regularly enough. After three to four months of regular use, the bristles on most toothbrushes will start to get quite damaged. As a result, your toothbrush won’t be as effective against plaque. Replace your toothbrush every three to four months so that the bristles don’t get too damaged.

Using mouthwash instead of brushing teeth

Mouthwash can be worth using to get rid of bacteria on your tongue, inner cheeks and gums. However, it shouldn’t be used as a substitute for brushing teeth. Mouthwash won’t remove stubborn plaque from your enamel - only a toothbrush can do that. By all means use mouthwash in the morning and at night, but make sure you’re also brushing your teeth. 

Skipping visits to the dentist

It’s worth booking a checkup with your local dentist every six months. On top of offering dental care treatment, dentists can offer advice on areas of your teeth that may need more brushing. It’s difficult to see many areas of our teeth, and so it can be useful to seek out this advice.

Not flossing

Flossing is something that many of us lie about doing. It can be just as important as brushing - by helping to get rid of plaque between teeth, you can help to prevent gum infections and further enamel damage. You should try to floss daily if you can. Make sure to use dental floss correctly - make sure that you’re not yanking your teeth or sawing your gums while doing it to avoid unnecessary damage.