Brushing Your Teeth – Five Mistakes You Might Be Making In The Bathroom!

Some common errors you might be making with your brushing routine.

It can’t be said often enough, how important it is to clean your teeth well, both morning and night. This is the bedrock of good oral health care and, along with dentist and hygienist visits, provides the essentials necessary to keep your teeth and gums in good health.

Hopefully, we have covered many aspects of this daily routine in some of our other Alexandra Dental Care blogs. In today’s post, we also take a look at some of the aspects of your bathroom care that you may not have even have thought about.

Never share your toothbrush

Your toothbrush is YOUR toothbrush. It doesn’t matter how close you are to another person, you should never share your toothbrush with them. Colds, flu viruses and other diseases are easily spread if you do this. Even if you are on holiday and have forgotten your brush, don’t share anyone else’s. Simply brush your teeth using toothpaste on a soft cloth and buy a new toothbrush as soon as possible.

Take your time – brush diligently

Whether we are running late for work or very tired at bedtime, there is always an excuse to give your teeth the most cursory brushing. Although our mouth may feel fresher after a twenty second brush, it will not remove the food and bacteria that can lead to decay and gum disease. You should brush for at least two minutes each time. It really is a small price to pay for healthy teeth.

Don’t spit after brushing

You have probably been told to ‘spit and rinse’ many times. This guideline is now out of date and whilst you should still spit after brushing your teeth, you shouldn’t rinse. By not rinsing, you allow the fluoride in the toothpaste more time to strengthen the enamel on your teeth, thereby helping to prevent future decay and root canal infections.

Where’s the loo?

Have you considered how close your toothbrush is to your toilet? If not, you probably should. Without being too descriptive, sprays and other forms of bacteria may reach your toothbrush, potentially spreading infections. Take a look where you currently store your brush and maybe move it just a little further away or place a cap over it.

A reminder about brushing too enthusiastically

Brushing your teeth is essential for good oral health care. However, it is possible to become a little over enthusiastic (perhaps in the hope of avoiding the dentist). Make sure that you don’t use excess pressure when you brush your teeth. Brushing them gently in a circular motion is all that is necessary as too much pressure could well result in enamel erosion and damage.

Alexandra Dental Care strongly believes in preventive care and we are always happy to answer any questions our patients, old or new, might have. To make an appointment to see one of our team, please call us on 01283 216347.

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