10 Toothbrushing Mistakes You Are Making

10 Toothbrushing Mistakes You Are Making

There is one thing that never changes in the time table each one of us set for ourselves, 

picking up the toothbrush every morning no matter how pressed for time we are. Step one in your daily routine; brushing your pearly whites ‘properly’ is what is stressed upon right from childhood. However, mistakes are evidently made in this otherwise deeply ingrained habit. Below are 10 mistakes that you are probably making:

1. Brushing for a very short duration

The ideal prescribed time for brushing is two to three minutes. However, the rush that a hectic lifestyle brings along with itself shortens this time and one ends up brushing for hardly a minute or so.

10 Toothbrushing Mistakes You Are Making

2. Infrequent Brushing

Children as well as adults should brush at least twice a day in order to ensure good health of their teeth. One must not brush more than three times a day since it could result into exposure of the root of the tooth leading to irritation. 

3. Not using the Right Toothbrush

Using the right toothbrush is of utmost importance and something that one needs to buy with caution. You must consider the size of your mouth, the comfort of the handle before making the purchase. With the advancement of technology, electric toothbrushes available in the market can also be used for added convenience. 

4. Not replacing the toothbrush at the right time

Giving importance to the hygiene of the toothbrush is as important as selecting the right one. Importantly this must be followed strictly if you have suffered from an illness in order to avoid the germs and bacteria to re-enter the body. In normal circumstances, consider replacing a toothbrush once the bristles appear worn out.

10 Toothbrushing Mistakes You Are Making

5. Not picking the right bristles

Bristles that are too stiff are known to aggravate gums. Hence a soft bristled brush is the perfect choice. One must also bear in mind that the bristles should be sturdy enough to remove the plaque but not cause damage to the teeth. 

6. Technique of brushing

Brushing too hard or improperly can be one of the gravest mistakes you might be committing. Following the correct technique in the process must be studied even though brushing might seem a casual task. Brushing too hard can cause germs to recede over time and the usage of wrong bristles can hurt your mouth. It is recommended that one brushes in circular motion to get rid of the bacteria and food particles trapped in the mouth. 

7. Ignoring the inside of your teeth

Brushing each portion of your teeth helps it be germ and dirt free. The inability to do so can result in the growth of plaque. Skipping your back teeth, molars and pre-molars while brushing can cause cavities and also lead to bad breath.

8. Not rinsing properly

After brushing, rinsing the toothbrush and your mouth with water is extremely crucial. Bacteria are known to grow on an un-rinsed toothbrush. Thoroughly washing the brush will help you getting rid of any leftover toothpaste and particles stuck in the bristles.

10 Toothbrushing Mistakes You Are Making

9. Not cleaning the tongue

After brushing your teeth perfectly, the tongue should be given some much-needed attention too. A tongue cleaner or scraper should be used to kill the bacteria present in that area of the mouth and hence, freshen your breath.

10. Not using the Right Toothpaste

Selecting the right toothpaste and visiting your dentist for the same should be made as a practice. Baking soda toothpastes, whitening toothpastes and a lot other variety is available in the market today. Choose your toothpaste wisely as it is crucial for your dental health. 

The otherwise simple process of brushing should be done with utmost precision in order to let your sparkling whites add to your confidence. 

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Editor’s note:Yahoo! Philippines encourages responsible comments that add dimension to the discussion. No bashing or hate speech, please. You can express your opinion without slamming others or making derogatory remarks.

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