5 Brushing Teeth Mistakes You're Probably Making, According to a Dentist and Dental Hygienist
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Toothbrushes are an essential part of our daily routines, but brushing teeth mistakes are much more common than you think. From a young age we are taught to brush our teeth in the morning for fresh breath and before bed to prevent cavities. But other than going to a bi-annual dentist appointment, we don't receive much feedback about this thing that we do so often.
Did you know that oral health isn't just about keeping our teeth pearly white and cavity-free, but can actually have an impact on heart health? Yup, it's that serious. In fact, The American Heart Association penned a post titled “Bad Tooth Brushing Habits Tied to Higher Heart Risk,” which sites a study where one researcher revealed, “poor oral health, based on daily teeth-brushing behavior, is associated with poorer heart health.” That's enough for us to want to step up our teeth-brushing game.
To give us a refresher on the right (and wrong) ways to brush our teeth, we consulted with a dentist and a dental hygienist who have a front-row seat to the most common mistakes that patients make. Read on for the most common brushing teeth mistakes to find out if your dental skills are up to snuff. Spoiler alert: they're probably not.
You're Not Brushing Long Enough
We get it, you want to get out the door or into bed as quickly as humanly possible when brushing in the morning and at night, but if you're not spending enough time on your teeth, you're doing yourself a disservice. According to Chloe Tsang, DMD MPH, a dentist at Tend in New York City, most people aren't brushing for the recommended two minutes.
The average time spent is actually only 45 seconds, says Lindsey Dalley, RDH, BA, a dental hygienist and Professional Education Manager, at Philips Sonicare Canada, who agrees that “the key to a healthy, clean mouth is brushing for two minutes twice daily.” To be sure that you're brushing for long enough, try setting the timer on your phone, or get a toothbrush that keeps time for you. Dalley notes, “Philips Sonicare power toothbrushes have a built-in timer to ensure you are brushing for two minutes and a pacer that prompts you to move to the next section of your mouth to ensure a complete clean.”
Dr. Tsang recommends this type of toothbrush as well and says, "While there is no truly ‘bad’ toothbrush, an electric toothbrush is preferred." She explains: “They are designed to remove plaque more effectively, especially those with oscillating or sonic models. It takes the guesswork out of proper technique and often includes a timer to ensure thorough cleaning.”
Brushing Too Hard
Brushing harder does not make up for a shorter brush time, nor is it better at removing plaque. “Aggressive scrubbing can cause gum recession and enamel wear,” says Dalley. To help, Dr. Tsang recommends using a soft bristle toothbrush rather than a hard bristle one. Dalley adds, “Toothbrushes with hard bristles can lead to enamel erosion and gum damage. Using a toothbrush with softer bristles and ensuring you’re not brushing with excessive pressure can help you avoid tissue damage.”
Rinsing After Brushing
I don't know about you, but I thought we were supposed to rinse after brushing. As Dr. Tsang explains, “Toothpaste should be left on the teeth for as long as possible.” While the jury is out on exactly how long you should wait to rinse, the general consensus seems to be more than a few minutes. You can spit out any excess toothpaste, but don't use water or mouthwash immediately after brushing.
“Rinsing out reduces the toothpaste's effectiveness,” says Dr. Tsang. For mouthwash, she says. “Generally best practice would be to wait about 30 mins after brushing to use mouthwash or to use it in between meals rather than after brushing,” because the ingredients in the mouthwash may rinse away the fluoride left behind by toothpaste.
Brushing Right After Eating
“You want to avoid brushing immediately after consuming foods, especially if they are acidic, and drinks because this can weaken or even damage your enamel,” says Dalley. Although you may want to freshen your breath or get rid of any food stuck in your teeth, it's best to stick to flossing—something a lot of people skip. "Flossing removes bacteria hiding in between teeth,” Dr. Tsang says. Or use mouthwash in between meals, instead, as Dr. Tsang mentioned above. “You should wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth after eating, allowing your mouth enough time to neutralize the acidity in your mouth,” says Dalley.
Not Replacing Your Toothbrush Enough
“Manual toothbrushes and power toothbrush heads should be replaced every 3-4 months per the American Dental Association’s recommendation,” says Dalley. A good sign that it's time for a new toothbrush or toothbrush head? “When it frays,” points out, Dr. Tsang. “Using the same toothbrush or toothbrush head for long periods of time can affect your oral health,” explains, Dalley. “As the bristles become worn and displaced, they clean less effectively and can potentially cause gum inflammation, and in severe cases, gum recession.” Yet another reason why an electric toothbrush is a good idea: Many of them will keep track of your usage and remind you when it's time to change the head.
As you can see, our experts are very much on the same page with these common tooth-brushing mistakes, proving that a lot of people are making them. Signs of poor tooth brushing include “gum irritation and tooth sensitivity, which are often due to brushing too aggressively, or bad breath and plaque buildup, which can mean you’re not brushing thoroughly or for long enough. It can't hurt to be proactive about brushing the right way. Your smile (and overall health) will thank you!
Originally Appeared on Glamour
