8 Mistakes To Avoid The Next Time You Brush Your Teeth

In addition to brushing, our teeth and mouth require other supplements to maintain their health. We must not forget to clean the tongue, as well as to use dental floss and mouthwash

Brushing your teeth is one of the most important hygiene habits in our personal care routine. This should be carried out at least three times a day, using a suitable paste and a brush that facilitates the removal of food debris and bacteria.

Since we are children, we learn that their constant practice is essential to maintain good oral health and hygiene. Ignoring it can lead us to develop serious infections and diseases that even make us lose teeth.

However, although we are convinced that we are doing it right, we may make certain mistakes that decrease its level of protection and effectiveness.

This time we are going to share the 8 most common so you can avoid them the next time you brush your teeth.

1. Use an unsuitable brush

Finding your favorite color when buying a toothbrush is not the only thing you should consider. In fact, it is the least important. Take a good look at the sizes and try to choose one that adapts to the size of your mouth and teeth. Using a very small or very large one will cause certain discomforts that can prevent proper brushing.

You should also look at the hardness of the brush, there are those who prefer it soft and there are those who prefer it harder. However, some people who have weakened tooth enamel, hard enamel can cause more problems for both the enamel and the gums. That is why it is important that you look at its characteristics.

2. Press the brush hard

Good brushing is not about applying force against your teeth. This, the only thing that it achieves, is a traumatic brushing that deteriorates the thin layer that covers them. The brush bristles sweep clean, meaning they don’t need a lot of pressure to do their cleaning job.

3. Use less time than necessary

Spending less than two minutes brushing increases the chances of leaving some bacteria buildup between your teeth and gums. The minimum time is two minutes, but it is almost always recommended that it be three or four. It should also not be done in excess because it causes damage to tooth enamel.

4. Brush after eating

One of the most common mistakes people make is brushing their teeth right after eating. The problem is that, if you ate acidic foods, your teeth are sensitive and brushing affects your enamel.

The wisest thing to do is to wait 15 to 30 minutes for the saliva to neutralize the acidity levels left in your mouth.

5. Forget the plugins

The back of the teeth, their grooves, as well as the tongue accumulate plaque and bacteria that must be eliminated with elements other than the brush. The use of interdentals, dental floss and tongue scrapers is essential  to complement the hygiene of the mouth. In addition to these, you can also incorporate a mouthwash with antibacterial properties.

6. Don’t wash your toothbrush

Washing the brush after rinsing is essential to avoid the proliferation of bacteria in it. It is likely that food remains trapped between its bristles that have to be cleaned so that they do not create a perfect environment for microorganisms.

As much as possible you should wash it with a spray containing chlorhexidine or a little hydrogen peroxide diluted in water. You should also avoid putting it in the same glass with your family’s brushes, as this can cause a spread of bacteria.

7. Do not change the toothbrush

Changing the brush every three or four months is an act of hygiene that we should not ignore. Noticing that its bristles are worn and ugly is reason enough to replace it with another.

Using a damaged toothbrush does not clean your teeth well and can cause minor gum injuries.

8. Brush incorrectly

The technique used for brushing the teeth also has a very important role in the results of this. If you do it without following an order, you may neglect parts of the teeth that accumulate dirt.

How to do it correctly?

• To begin, position the brush so that it is at a 45-degree angle to the gum line.
• Use short, gentle strokes, passing the brush in front and behind.
• Gently brush your tongue, which is an area where a lot of bacteria accumulate.