Ten big mistakes most people make when brushing their teeth

Rinsing your mouth out

Let’s start with the big one - rinsing your mouth out after brushing. The last thing you want to do is wash away all that hard work you put into brushing your teeth. Rinsing removes the fluoride you’ve just used on your teeth, so make sure you wait at least half an hour before rinsing.

Avoiding the tongue

Never forget the tongue. Your tongue is a hotbed for bacteria, so giving it a good old brush alongside your teeth is one of the most important parts of the routine. You could invest in a toothbrush with a special tongue cleaning back to help you out.

Rushing it

Most dentists, including us, recommend a time of about 2 minutes when brushing your teeth. If you’re going above or below that time, you won’t be helping your teeth out. We’d suggest getting your phone out and timing yourself to be extra sure.

Losing routine

Unfortunately, things occasionally pop up in life that break our regular routine. No matter where you’re travelling or what’s happened around you, keeping up your twice a day brushing shouldn’t be under-appreciated. Do your very best to keep that routine going.

Using the same brushing rhythm

It’s easy to fall into a habit, especially when you’ve been brushing for decades. It’s always best to keep an eye on your pattern. Don’t be afraid to change it up so that you’re covering all areas of your mouth and reaching every nook and cranny.

Brushing too hard

Using too much pressure can also be detrimental to your overall oral hygiene. Not only are you actively damaging your enamel, but you can increase the chances of getting nasty mouth ulcers. Lighten your grip and speed, as well as checking your toothbrush isn’t too tough.

Not switching up toothbrushes

When your toothbrush has bristles tangling in every direction, it might be time to invest in a new one. We’d suggest changing up your toothbrush at least every three to four months. Any more than that and your ancient toothbrush won’t be nearly as effective as it once was.

Not flossing

With only 31% of people in the UK flossing daily, we think it’s about time something changed. Flossing significantly decreases your chances of tooth decay and other nasty oral problems. Once a day is plenty and easy to incorporate into your daily routine.

Too little or too much

It doesn’t matter if you’re brushing once a day or three times a day, you won’t be reaching the optimum standard for tooth brushing. Twice a day, in the morning and evening, for two minutes each time is the perfect amount of brushing to get those teeth sparkling.

Using replacements

While we’ve been singing the praises of flossing, don’t get the wrong end of the stick. Flossing, mouthwash and other dental products by no means replace toothbrushing. If you think having a swig of mouthwash before bed is a good substitute for brushing - your teeth won’t last long.

If you can get a consistent routine nailed down, alongside an effective toothbrush and brushing rhythm, you’ll have consistently fresh breath and a dazzling smile in no time. Get in touch with us for an appointment today if you're noticing any subtle signs you may need to pop to the dentist.