Today our Surrey dentists share 3 common brushing mistakes to avoid if you're ready to take your oral hygiene to the next level!
Do you brush too hard?
Plaque is relatively soft and easy to remove. That's why brushing harder doesn't equal brushing better! Try to think of brushing as massaging your gums and teeth. Vigorous scrubbing is completely unnecessary and could do more harm than good. Be kind to your smile...brush gently.
Do you brush your teeth for long enough?
In order to be sure that your teeth squeaky clean, you should be brushing for a full two minutes twice a day! If you have never timed yourself while brushing your teeth, it's time to start. Chances are that you haven't been spending as long as you should brushing your teeth.
Need some encouragement to help you brush for the full two minutes? Give an electric toothbrush with a built-in timer a try. Your toothbrush will let you know when the two minutes has passed. Alternatively, you could use your watch or phone to time yourself until brushing for two minutes has become a habit.
Another helpful trick is to think of your mouth in four quarters. Simply take 30 seconds to focus on each individual quadrant of your mouth, cleaning all areas of that section thoroughly, before moving on to the next quadrant.
Once the two minutes is up, floss and you're done.
Are you using the wrong toothbrush?
It doesn't matter whether you prefer a manual or electric toothbrush, be sure that it easily reaches all the areas of your mouth, and that it's comfortable to use.
Our Surrey dentists recommend choosing a toothbrush with a smaller brush head. Smaller brush heads allow for greater access to hard to reach areas of your mouth such as the backs of your lower front teeth, and the teeth at the very back of your mouth.
Don't turn to hard bristles. A soft bristled toothbrush is ideal for most people. Ask your dentist which type of bristles are best for your teeth. If you suffer from sensitive teeth or have signs of enamel erosion, a toothbrush with extra-soft bristles may be right for you.
Choose a Handle That's Comfortable to Hold
Take some extra time to find a model of toothbrush that fits comfortably in your hand. You're more likely to brush for the full two minutes if your toothbrush is comfortable to use. Using a toothbrush with a handle that is too long or bulky might prevent you from brushing as thoroughly as you should.