You don't brush at the right time of day
If you only brushed once a day, what would be the best time? At night, of course! When you are sleeping is the longest period of the day that you are not eating , your mouth produces less saliva and the cleaning and dragging effect is lost, and therefore you are promoting the growth of bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. When I talk to my patients, another mistake I find is that many people brush when they get up in the morning before breakfast. It's okay to freshen your breath in the morning, but remember to brush your teeth after eating. After all, you don't shower before working out at the gym, but after!
You use the wrong brush
Anything other than a soft or medium brush has the potential to damage not only the teeth but also the gums. Plaque is soft and can be easily removed. Remember, it's not about how hard you brush, but how well you do. Never use a hard brush.
You ignore the rest of your mouth
Your tongue harbors food and bacteria in the small indentations between the "papillae" at the back of the tongue. Use a tongue scraper or your brush to get rid of these harmful bacteria. (It can also improve your breath!)
Not using proper technique
Believe it or not many people never really learned how to brush properly and many dental professionals are guilty of paying attention to proper oral hygiene without actually showing their patients how to do it properly. Always check with us if you have any questions. Never "rub" and don't apply too much pressure.
Not brushing enough
Dentists recommend brushing twice a day for 2 minutes each time. Two minutes is a long time if you are looking at the clock! That's one of the reasons I'm a fan of electric toothbrushes, and it's that they run on a timer for 2 minutes so you don't have to think about it.
You don't replace your brush
You will probably need to replace your brush every 3-4 months, more often if the bristles wear out. Worn bristles will not effectively remove plaque and bacteria. And don't forget to replace your toothbrush immediately if it's been sick! Bacteria and viruses from a disease can reside in sows and potentially re-infect you.
Happy brushing! As always, at the Sonrisol Dental Clinic we are available to address any concerns you have about the correct way to brush your teeth. Do not hesitate to ask us the next time you visit our dental clinic in Torremolinos or in get in touch with us.