The biggest tooth-brushing mistake everyone is making

Marie-Claire Dorking
·Contributor
Updated ·8 min read
Woman brushing her teeth. (Getty Images)
There are some common tooth brushing mistakes people are making. (Getty Images)

Good tooth-brushing habits are something our parents drummed into us from an early age. And now that we're adults, cleaning our teeth is one of those every day must-dos we have definitely got down. Or have we?

New research has found the proportion of five-year-olds with rotting teeth is rising in parts of England, so it seems we haven't quite got dental hygiene down.

The problem is that practicing good oral health in childhood and adulthood isn't just about keeping our pearly whites clean and cavity-free. In fact it can have a wide-reaching impact on health.

Additional research shows that poor oral health has an impact on general health, and has been associated with poor diabetic control. It has also been associated with lung disease - mainly pneumonia - among the frail and elderly.

More simply bad dental hygiene leads to plaque forming on your teeth every time you eat and drink. If not properly cleaned, the plaque can eventually turn into tartar, which can result in tooth decay and even gum disease.

"The recent news about children's teeth highlights the importance of proper tooth brushing, but it's not just children who need to improve their technique—many adults are making fundamental mistakes when it comes to their oral health," explains dentist Dr Sara Amini. "From not brushing long enough to rinsing with water after brushing, small errors in our daily routine can have a big impact on our teeth and gums."

Whether you weren't taught correctly as a child or you've picked up a few bad habits over the years, there are some common mistakes many of us are making when it comes to our oral hygiene, starting with not flossing.

According to Dr Amini brushing alone only cleans 60% of tooth surfaces, leaving plaque and bacteria between teeth that can lead to decay and gum disease.

Dr Sam Jethwa, president of The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry agrees that not flossing daily is probably the biggest dental hygiene mistake many of us are making. "Flossing daily helps to remove plaque from below the gumline which can damage tooth enamel and also cause gums to become sore and bleed," he says. "Meanwhile in the long term flossing regularly can help to prevent gingitivits, or gum disease."

And that isn't the only mistake we're making...

Young woman taking care of her dental health
Not flossing daily is one of the biggest tooth-brushing mistakes, according to dentists. (Getty Images)

According to Dr Deepak Aulak this washes away the essential fluoride from toothpaste, reducing its protective nature in helping teeth. "Instead, just spit out excess toothpaste and leave the fluoride on your teeth," he advises.

The ideal brushing time, according to Dr Aulak, is two minutes, but many people rush and don’t give their teeth enough time to be properly cleaned, meaning plaque is left behind.

Overly aggressive brushing can wear down enamel and damage gums, while brushing too gently may not effectively remove plaque. "A gentle but firm approach is best," Dr Aulak adds.

A soft-bristled toothbrush (manual or electric) is best to avoid damaging enamel and gums. "Hard bristles can be too abrasive, and sometimes old toothbrushes loose this soft form," Dr Aulak adds.

Dr Aulak says brushes should be replaced every three months or when the bristles start fraying, as worn-out bristles don’t clean effectively.

"If the bristles aren’t in good order and have lost their stiffness then they won’t be cleaning your teeth and gums effectively," Dr Jethwa adds. "It’s also advisable to change your toothbrush sooner if you’ve been unwell, in order to avoid the harbouring of germs on the brush."

Using mouthwash that contains fluoride can help to prevent tooth decay however Dr Jethwa says it is not advisable to use mouthwash of any type straight after brushing your teeth because it can wash away the fluoride from the toothpaste.

"Mouthwash can be fine to use at other times, as long as it’s not directly after brushing," he adds.

Man rinsing after brushing his teeth.
Dentists advise not rinsing after brushing your teeth. (Getty Images)

Bacteria lives in every part of your mouth, not just your teeth. This includes your tongue. Bacteria sticks to your tongue more easily and could cause harm to your teeth. According to Dr Amini not cleaning your tongue is one of the biggest causes of bad breath.

To keep the teeth healthy Dr Jethwa says it is advisable to wait 30 minutes after eating before you brush to avoid brushing the acids from foods around the teeth, causing tooth wear and sensitivity. "In the morning make sure you brush before breakfast," he adds. "I always tell people to think of it as eating on clean teeth."

Some adult toothpastes can have quite a harsh, minty taste which can be off-putting for children. However, along with the taste the main difference between an adults and child’s toothpaste is the amount of fluoride they contain. "An adult’s toothpaste will have higher levels of this, and may also contain whitening components," Dr Jethwa explains.

The NHS recommends that a child aged three to six should use a children’s fluoride toothpaste containing no less than 1,000ppm of fluoride. From ages seven and over a child can switch to an adult toothpaste containing 1,350ppm to 1,500ppm of fluoride.

According to Dr Aulak young children don’t have the dexterity to brush correctly, which means it sometimes isn't being done effectively.

"Usually children are ready to brush unsupervised by around aged seven," he says. "But it can depend on the maturity of the child. A good way to check if they are ready is to use plaque disclosing tablets (that stain plaque)."

Instead of side to side, Dr Aulak recommends children brush round and round. "Encourage small circular motions rather than scrubbing back and forth, which can miss plaque and damage gums," he explains.

Girll brushing teeth at home in the morning
Allowing children to brush on their own too early is a common tooth-brushing error. (Getty Images)

When kids are tired it can be tempting to skip the pre-bed brush, but according to Dr Aulak nighttime brushing is the most important because saliva flow decreases at night, leaving teeth vulnerable to decay.

Many assume that because milk teeth are not permanent, they do not require as much care, but not taking care of milk teeth can lead to issues such as tooth decay, cavities and gum disease. "It can also lead to complications when the permanent teeth come through," Dr Jethwa adds.

It can feel overwhelming when choosing the right toothbrush for your child as there is so much choice. "If you are looking for a toothbrush for your toddler, look for one with a small head but a wide handle, so they can get a better grip," advises Dr Jethwa. "Make sure the brush has soft bristles, as they will be gentle on the gums and teeth but still be effective at cleaning. A silicone brush can be good to use at this age as they are incredibly gentle."

For children around six look for children’s toothbrush with a slimmer handle but still a small head with soft bristles. Dr Jethwa doesn't recommend electric toothbrushes until over the age of six.

"I would look to move to an adult toothbrush when your child reaches age 10, but all children are different," he adds. "By the age of 10, your child will have most of their adult teeth and their mouth will be the right size for an adult’s toothbrush."

Dr Jethwa suggests children shopping to let choose their own toothbrush. "Your child should be brushing their teeth for two minutes, so set a timer and make it into a game, do this in the mirror so they can see where they are brushing," he adds.

Another good tip is to play a song that will last for two minutes. "It is a good idea to explain to children why it is so important that they brush their teeth, so they have an understanding of why they are doing it," Dr Jethwa adds.

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