You’ve probably been brushing your teeth all wrong

A beauty smile is one of a person's charms. But what can damage your teeth? That is a bad habit. And did you know that most people do not look after their teeth properly.

Keeping your teeth in the best condition requires regular visits to the dentist. However, dental hygiene and health starts at home. Brushing teeth the right way is very important to maintain healthy gums and teeth.

Here are the mistakes in brushing our teeth that we often encounter everyday.

1. Bristle brush is not soft

Hard bristle toothbrush does not mean more able to clean perfectly and quickly. If the bristles are too hard, they will actually erode tooth enamel and hurt the gums. Choose soft or extra soft bristle brushes, this will also ensure the brush bristles are able to get into small gaps in the teeth.

2. Incorrect size

It often happens to children who use toothbrush sizes that are too large or even use their parents' toothbrushes. The size of the toothbrush must be able to guarantee brushing in the back teeth and on the entire surface of the tooth.

3. Wrong time

The best time to brush your teeth is even the day before going to sleep, to reduce the growth of bacteria during sleep. And do not forget when the morning after breakfast, not before breakfast.

4. Toothpaste is lacking or just too much

The use of fluoride toothpaste can indeed prevent cavities, but there is no need to overdo it in use. Don't use too little, because the effect won't be optimal. Adjust the instructions for use in each package. Moreover, the rules of use for children.

5. You brush too hard

Brushing too hard does not mean to make teeth cleaner. Dental plaque is soft enough to be cleaned with mild brushing pressure. If it's too hard, it will harm the gums and make the email eroded.

6. Hold the toothbrush too hard

The way you hold a toothbrush that is too hard is proportional to the pressure of the toothbrush when you brush your teeth. As explained above, too much pressure will erode the email and hurt the gums.

7. Hold the toothbrush in the wrong direction

Position the brush bristles at an angle of 45 degrees leading to the gum border. This will ensure that the tooth neck located in the gum boundary area will be brushed to the maximum.

8. You don't pay attention to what you do

It would be better if you brush your teeth with a mirror to be more focused and can be more focused in areas that are difficult to reach. Changes in symptoms or signs of tooth decay and gum disease will also be more monitored if every day doing the mirror habit for teeth.

9. The duration is too short

The recommended time to brush your teeth is 2 minutes. Some electric toothbrushes have a time marker feature. If using a manual toothbrush, try dividing it into 4 parts and brush each tooth for 30 seconds.

10. Skipping toothbrush the night before going to bed

Many people skip the brushing activity before going to sleep. Because of neglect, forgetfulness or because of accustomed to brushing teeth when bathing in the afternoon. Even though brushing your teeth at night before sleeping can reduce the growth of bacteria that cause dental caries during your sleep. If not done, the rest of the dinner security and snacks will be a good growing medium for these bacteria throughout the night.

11. Forget to brush your tongue

Brushing the tongue can eliminate 70% of bad breath. This is caused because the tongue is a den of bacteria that digests deposits of food scraps that stick to the tongue.

12. Forget the gums

The most vulnerable gums are gums that are in the area between the teeth. The rest of the food is often gathered in this place. Brush your teeth with vertical movements from the gums to the teeth so that the rest of the food on the interdentals can be brushed perfectly.

13. Skip the flossing

Brushing teeth is apparently not able to clean the entire surface of the tooth especially in the area between the teeth that are very difficult to penetrate by brush bristles. To perfect this cleaning process, make it a habit to clean the cavities by using a dental floss.

14. Your toothbrush is too old

Toothbrush bristles have age. If it has been used for too long, the brush bristles will bloom, break and wear out. Thus, the bristle brush is no longer able to reach parts of the tooth in accordance with its function. Even with brush bristles that bloom, it makes the gums hurt. Toothbrush bristles also become a den of bacteria that is accumulating. So, it is recommended to replace the toothbrush regularly about every 3-4 months.

15. Clean the toothbrush with disinfectant

Toothbrush does not need to be washed with a cleaning solution or disinfectant because it will only make it quickly damaged. The best way to clean a toothbrush is to simply rinse with running water then place the toothbrush in a dry and not damp place.

16. Always use a toothbrush head cover

Still always wearing a toothbrush head cover? This is not recommended unless only used as a protector on the trip. If only used at home, the placement of the toothbrush does not need to use a toothbrush head cover because this will only make the toothbrush head in always humid conditions. Bacteria will grow more in these conditions.

17. Using someone else's toothbrush

Using someone else's toothbrush will cause the risk of infection. This habit is often done especially for children who do not have their own toothbrush.

Source:

1. https://www.realmenrealstyle.com/teeth-brushing-mistakes/

2. https://www.allendental.net/10-brushing-mistakes-and-how-to-fix-them/

3. https://britedental.com.au/the-top-10-tooth-brushing-mistakes-you-probably-make-every-day

4. https://www.self.com/story/ways-brushing-your-teeth-wrong

5. https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/brushing-teeth-mistakes#1