Are You Making These Common Tooth Brushing Mistakes?

Even if you brush your teeth after every meal, without the right technique, you may not be getting the maximum benefit.

Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is the best way to remove plaque build-up. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth and can lead to cavities and gum disease.

To get the most out of brushing your teeth, avoid these common mistakes:

• Not Brushing Long Enough – To clean your teeth thoroughly, you should brush for at least two minutes. That’s about one and a half minutes per side.

• Brushing Too Hard – It’s tempting to scrub teeth in an effort to do a good job, but you could do damage to your gums. If you tend to use too much pressure, switching to a softer toothbrush might help.

• Missing Some Areas – It’s easy to focus on front teeth and outer sides, but brushing chewing surfaces and the inner sides of teeth is just as important.

• Using Your Toothbrush for Too Long – For best results, you should change to a new toothbrush every three months or when the bristles become frayed.

Need to brush up on your brushing technique? Ask your hygienist for a demonstration at your next visit to our clinic.