Common Brushing Mistakes to Avoid

a part of the BRUSHING ESSENTIALS SERIES

1. Mistake: Brushing too hard

Consequences: Brushing your teeth too hard can lead to tooth abrasion, gum recession, and even increased tooth sensitivity. Over time, aggressive brushing can wear down the enamel of your teeth, making them look yellow and darker.

Solution: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and apply gentle pressure while brushing. Think of it as massaging your teeth rather than scrubbing.

2. Mistake: Not brushing often enough

Consequences: If you don’t brush your teeth often enough, it can lead to severe plaque and tartar buildup, gum recession, multiple cavities, and advanced periodontal disease. This can also lead to bad breath and other oral health problems.

Solution: Brush at least twice a day for 2 minutes each time. Ideally, you should also brush after meals.

3. Mistake: Using the wrong toothbrush bristle type

Consequences: Using a toothbrush with hard bristles can cause dental erosion and gum recession. The bristles can apply too much pressure and aren’t capable of conforming to the curves of your smile, leading to heavier plaque buildup in certain areas.

Solution: Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles as they clean very effectively, more than the hard bristles.

4. Mistake: Using an old toothbrush

Consequences: An old toothbrush can harbour more bacteria, which can get redeposited in the mouth, causing reinfection and increased gingivitis. Also, frayed bristles are less effective in removing plaque and food debris around the teeth.

Solution: Replace your toothbrush every three to four months.

5. Mistake: Brushing at the wrong angle

Consequences: Brushing at the wrong angle can make your brushing less effective. Your toothbrush should be aimed at 45 degrees inside your mouth as you brush your teeth. This angle will get slightly underneath the gumline while brushing, cleaning more effectively while being less rough on your gums.

Solution: Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and use short back-and-forth strokes across the sides and tops of your teeth.

6. Mistake: Not cleaning along the gum line

Consequences: Not cleaning along the gum line can lead to gum line cavities, also known as root cavities or cervical caries. These cavities form on the root surface of teeth, just below the gum line.

Solution: Make sure to clean along the gum line as well.

7. Mistake: Brushing right after meals

Consequences: Brushing your teeth right after meals is not recommended as it may accelerate the process of acidic damage and endanger your teeth even more. As oral pH takes time to recover fully, brushing immediately after eating or drinking can lead to toothbrush abrasion and acute teeth sensitivity.

Solution: Wait at least 30 minutes after eating before brushing your teeth.

Remember, maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial for overall health. Consult a dental professional for personalised advice.