The 7 worst oral hygiene mistakes you need to avoid

Most people are taught tooth brushing basics by their parents whilst young and generally, this is a positive thing. But sometimes people are given brushing advice that negatively affects their teeth and the brushing habit continued over many years leads to dental problems. Here are 7 of the worst oral hygiene mistakes that should be avoided.

Using the same toothbrush for years

Change your toothbrush at least every three months to keep your brushing effective. Generally, after three months, the bristles on your toothbrush become bent, worn and less effective.

Using a hard toothbrush

Using a medium or hard toothbrush can cause oral abrasion and gum recession. A soft toothbrush gently cleans whilst ensuring that no damage is done during the brushing process.

Skipping the floss

Brushing can’t reach all areas of your teeth. Debris within cracks and crevices as well as plaque build-up near the gum line can be missed with brushing alone. Daily flossing ensures that most areas of your teeth are properly attended to.

Forgetting your tongue

Brush your tongue and inside your cheeks as well. These areas harbor bacteria that can contribute to bad breath and tooth decay.

Brushing too hard

Go easy on your pearly whites. As long as your toothbrush is making contact with your teeth there’s no need to add forceful pressure. Excessive pressure can wear down your tooth enamel and cause receding gums. Dr Jest believes that in general it is better to use manual toothbrushes where possible. A mechanical toothbrush used wrongly can cause very serious damage to your teeth.

Not rinsing after eating

It can help to rinse your mouth with water after eating to dislodge remaining food particles from on and between your teeth. Rinsing also reduces the acidity left after food consumption. Remaining acidity can lead to bacterial growth.

Brushing right after eating

Wait at least 30 minutes after eating to brush your teeth. Acidic foods weaken tooth enamel and brushing immediately after food can cause enamel to weaken further. Give your saliva time to neutralise the acid before brushing your teeth.

Remember to visit your dentist for checkups and dental cleaning twice a year. Regular cleaning will remove plaque build-up so that you can avoid gum disease. Visiting your dentist is an important step in maintaining good oral hygiene so call to make a dental appointment today.