5 Common Mistakes You Make When Brushing Your Teeth

In the morning, you wake up and typically start your processes for getting ready for the day. You might shower, eat breakfast, and brush your teeth. Brushing your teeth and having a good dental care routine is vital to one's health and happiness. While teeth brushing is an everyday task in most people’s daily routines, there are some things that are easily missed when it comes to taking care of your teeth.

Dental emergencies can happen at any moment. However, if you have a good dental care routine, you may be able to prevent an emergency from being severe. Brushing your teeth is a great start for maintaining good oral health and avoiding dental emergencies. But you may still be missing some steps in your brushing routine.

Here are some common mistakes you may be making when brushing your teeth and how you can better care for them.

1. You are not brushing long enough

You’ve probably heard this since you were a child, but you should be brushing your teeth for two minutes, no less. If you’re brushing for less than two minutes, the fluoride from your toothpaste isn’t getting enough time to attach to the enamel of your teeth.

Check out electronic toothbrushes that are equipped with timers to help you make sure you are brushing long enough. You don’t want to miss any of your teeth, especially your back ones where plaque and debris are prone to build up. Another way you can time your teeth brushing is by using a phone or stopwatch.

2. You are not replacing your toothbrush or toothbrush head

The average life of a toothbrush is about three months, or after 200 uses. If you notice your bristles becoming worn out and frayed, it’s time to purchase a new toothbrush or replace the head. The bristles will begin to not clean your mouth properly. Also, your toothbrush or toothbrush head will begin to accumulate food and debris from daily use. You don’t want any lingering bacteria hanging out on your toothbrush head because it will make it harder for your teeth to stay clean.

3. You are not flossing

Plaque and debris are desperate to build up between your teeth. Unfortunately, many people rarely floss or skip flossing completely. However, flossing is essential for your dental health because dental floss can reach places that your toothbrush can’t. Do your best to make flossing a habit that you perform once a day. A great time to floss is right before bed as it’s a time to remove food and bacteria that have increased throughout the day.

4. You are brushing the wrong area of your tooth

Young children generally get cavities on the top of their teeth. As a result, you may have been taught to brush your teeth only in that area. For adults, the most important areas to brush are along your gum line, in between your teeth, and the back of your teeth. Brush at a 45-degree angle along your gum line, paying special attention to your molars.

5. You aren’t brushing your tongue

What is a germ receptacle and most often the primary cause of your bad breath? Your tongue. After you finish brushing, clean your tongue with a tongue scraper or brush it with your toothbrush. This minimizes the number of germs in your mouth and improves your breath.

A healthy dental care routine is vital to your overall health and well-being. These are just some of the common mistakes that people make when brushing their teeth. Heed the advice that you just read and you will begin to make strides toward keeping your whole mouth in great shape.