4 Common Mistakes When Brushing That Can Affect Dental Health

Pretty much everyone knows how important it is to brush their teeth thoroughly on a regular basis. However as much as that’s the case, it may surprise you to know that many people make a number of mistakes when brushing, and are entirely unaware that they are doing so.

By knowing about the most common mistakes that people make when brushing, you can identify any issues in your approach and take steps to correct it. In particular you should look out for:

• Not brushing long enough

How long do you really spend brushing each session – honestly? The majority of people spend far less than they should, and average about 30 seconds when they should be brushing for 2 minutes. To properly clean your teeth you need to cover all surfaces – and it is unlikely you’re about to do so in less than 2 minutes.

• Using too much force when brushing

Many people make the mistake of assuming that if they use more force they’ll be able to clean their teeth more thoroughly. Unfortunately not only is this not true, but excessive force can actually end up harming both your teeth and gums. It is best to brush gently and focus on technique as opposed to force.

• Brushing with a back-and-forth motion

In terms of technique, another common mistake is for people to brush with a back-and-forth motion. The problem with this approach is that it won’t let you cover many surfaces, especially areas near the gums. If you tend to use a back-and-forth motion try to switch to a more circular motion instead that angles the bristles.

• Not following a fixed system

While technically you can brush your teeth in any order you please, it helps immeasurably to have a fixed system and order. The fact is that if you brush in no particular order you’re more likely to accidentally miss some teeth, and in the long term that can be very bad.

Needless to say there are other areas that you should pay attention to as well, but the mistakes highlighted above should help you to identify whether or not you’re brushing your teeth properly. If you’re concerned that you aren’t, you could make it a point to seek some clarification from Cheltenham dentists at your next regular appointment.

At the end of the day it is important that you’re brushing your teeth effectively, otherwise they may not end up as clean as you think they are. In the long term that can lead to poor dental hygiene and a host of other issues related to it – which is what you undoubtedly wanted to avoid in the first place.