Brushing your teeth two times a day for two minutes is imperative to your oral health, but not all brushing materials or techniques are beneficial for your smile. Making mistakes when brushing your teeth may not seem like a big deal, but since you brush your teeth so often and it doesn’t take long for plaque to accumulate, these mistakes can quickly add up to a larger problem.
Are you making these common mistakes when keeping your pearly whites clean? Here are some of the top errors and how to avoid them!
Not Brushing the Backs of Your Front Teeth
Yes, you’ve covered all the sides of your molars (with the help of some floss), but have you been brushing the backs of your front teeth? These are commonly missed areas when brushing because it requires you to turn the toothbrush vertically and brush with short strokes behind these teeth to remove plaque and bacteria. Brushing behind your upper and lower front teeth can help reduce plaque buildup and inflammation that can happen as a result.
Brushing Too Hard (And With a Stiff-Bristled Toothbrush)
Of course you want to brush your teeth thoroughly, but this doesn’t mean brushing them aggressively. If you’re using too much force when brushing your teeth, you could be doing more harm than good, especially if you’re using a toothbrush with firm or stiff bristles. Brushing too hard with a stiff-bristled toothbrush can wear away your tooth enamel over time [1]. You don’t need to brush aggressively to remove plaque and bacteria—in fact, The American
Dental Association (ADA) recommends using a soft-bristled toothbrush and brushing gently to protect your smile while removing plaque. Remember, the quality of your brushing is more important than how forcefully you brush!
Not Using Short Strokes
When brushing your teeth, the proper way is to angle your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gumline and brush using short strokes (think about the width of each tooth) [2]. Using long, sweeping strokes makes it more likely that you’ll miss areas of your teeth, leading to places where plaque and bacteria can accumulate.
Brushing Right After a Meal
You should never brush right after eating, particularly not after consuming foods that can soften your tooth enamel, such as sugar, citrus fruits, or acidic foods and drinks [3]. Doing so can increase the chances that you would remove tooth enamel when brushing, which can lead to sensitive teeth, tooth discoloration, and an increased risk for cavities.
Instead, wait a minimum of 30 minutes—ideally one hour—before brushing your teeth after eating. In the meantime, you can drink water or chew sugarless gum to freshen your breath right after a meal.
Are You Making These Common Mistakes?
It’s never too late to improve your toothbrushing habits, even if you are making some of these common mistakes. During your regular checkup, your dentist can also make suggestions for improving your brushing technique based on your oral exam so you can have a beautiful, healthy smile!
Sources:
1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24993269/
2. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/brushing-mistakes-slideshow/
3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/brushing-
