Do you brush your teeth twice a day but still notice your teeth aren’t in the best shape? Following your twice-a-day brushing routine is a key component to maintaining good oral health, but it doesn’t stop there. A lot of people that do take care of their teeth can fall victim to many common mistakes or errors! These mistakes are easy to correct, however, and our team at Westney North Dental is here to help.
Here’s a list of the five most common mistakes to avoid when caring for your teeth that our Ajax dental centre put together for you.
1. Not Changing Your Toothbrush
Toothbrushes are not permanent and with their usage being on average twice daily, they need to be changed every three months. Toothbrushes become worn out and frayed and the bristles become painful on the gums when they’re used past their designated time. Food debris and bacteria also build upon the toothbrush which is difficult to remove and should just be thrown out.
2. Brushing Under The Two-Minute Mark
Dentists recommend for teeth be brushed for two minutes for them to receive a proper cleaning. Anything under the two-minute mark doesn’t allow for fluoride in the toothpaste to actually attach to the enamel of the tooth. Cutting your brush time short neglects all of your teeth from getting a proper cleaning.
3. Forgetting To Floss
Every day food particles enter your mouth and although brushing helps to remove some of it, if you don’t floss then plaque builds up. Most people either do not incorporate flossing in their routine or are not including it enough. You should make it a habit to floss once a day to remove any excess plaque to avoid it from hardening.
4. Brushing Your Teeth Too Gently or Too Hard
Brushing your teeth with too much force can trigger bleeding from your gums, soreness, redness, and other trauma. You should not be experiencing pain after you brush your teeth, or that is an indicator that you need to be more careful brushing. You can also make the mistake of brushing too gently on the teeth, which will not give them a proper cleaning. You have to brush your teeth at a medium pace in a circular motion to clean them properly and remove the plaque that is there.
5. Only Focusing On The Teeth
A very common mistake made when brushing teeth is putting all of your attention into cleaning the teeth only. Neglecting your tongue during your brushing routine does not give a proper overall cleaning. Your tongue contains a lot of residual bacteria and is often the source of bad breath. Brushing it with either your toothbrush bristles or a tongue scraper will remove bacteria.
At Westney North Dental, we are committed to giving you the best dental care and helping you maintain it at home! If you’re looking for a dentist in Ajax that has a variety of dental services in a family-friendly center, give us a call or book an appointment today!