Allowing your child to brush your teeth for you might be the first mistake (Picture: Getty)

No one wants to have bad teeth.

Tooth ache, yellowing, dentures, it’s not an attractive prospect. But despite the fact we all want strong and healthy teeth, we’re not always brilliant at looking after them.

Dentist Pauline Lamant, who works for Your Smile Direct, has put together a list of the biggest mistakes we make with regards to oral hygiene.

How many are you guilty of?


Electric toothbrushes

Electric toothbrushes – yes, this may sound strange but if you are not using the right technique, they can be useless. With most electric toothbrushes you only need to touch the tooth with the bristles. If you push too hard the bristles bend and are not effective. Take your electric toothbrush with you and ask your dental hygienist for a demonstration.



Brushing your teeth for just 45 second

Surveys show that as many 43% of patients brush their teeth for just 45 seconds. This is not long enough to give them a proper clean. You should clean your teeth for at least two minutes.

Brushing at the wrong times and too much

This can cause damage as well. Do not brush straight after eating citrus/acidic fruits or after wine. The tooth enamel is softened by the acid and brushing straight after will wear the teeth down. Instead wait for 30 minutes for the acids to neutralise before brushing or even use a fluoride mouthwash to help neutralise the acid.

Flossing

Again the wrong technique such as a sawing motion can cause damage and recession of the gums. You should slide the floss gently up-and-down between your teeth.

Whitening toothpastes

Abrasive toothpastes such as bicarbonate or whitening pastes. They are abrasive and can wear your enamel away and in the long-term lead to sensitivity and darkening of your teeth as the enamel wears and the inner amber-coloured dentine becomes visible.



Rinsing too soon with water after brushing

We all use water to clean our teeth but swishing water in your mouth too soon after brushing washes away much of the fluoride with it and minimises your toothpaste’s effectiveness. If you feel the need to rinse out your mouth after brushing, use a (non alcohol-based) mouthwash.

You shouldn’t eat or drink for at least half an hour after brushing your teeth.

Brushing your teeth too hard

Poor tooth brushing techniques can harm your teeth – if you really scrub your teeth too hard, you will wear the sides of your teeth down, leaving V-shaped defects near the gum margins. Also, don’t always start brushing the same place.

If you always start on the top right side, that section is going to get the most attention. Most people get bored as they are brushing, so the areas covered last get the least attention. Mix-up your brushing technique so all areas are covered adequately.

You should brush in a circular motion – rather than from side to side.

Mouthwash

Alcohol-based mouthwashes can be harsh and long-term use has been linked to development of oral cancers. Studies have found that excessive use – three times a day – presents a health risk.

Hard toothbrushes

Hard toothbrushes can cause excessive wear and recession of the gums.

If you have been making any of these mistakes then you should stop (obviously) and you might want to mention them to your dentist at your next check up.



Because you’re definately having regular dental check-ups. Right?

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