We value our oral health a lot. For that, we develop the age-old habit of brushing twice daily to keep our teeth and gums healthy. But have we ever thought that what if some of our brushing habits are not proper? Poor brushing habits will end up harming our teeth badly. So, let’s see the top 5 brushing habits that should be avoided for a better oral health regime.
What Brushing Habits Should I Avoid?
1. Brushing Quickly
Brushing quickly or over vigorously leads to major oral health problems. It would help if you brushed adequately, but brushing quickly does not resolve the issue. If you brush quickly, sometimes the bacteria accumulated inside your mouth never gets removed and leads to cavities. This puts your mouth at risk for dental abrasion and gum recession.
2. Avoiding Tongue
Even if you brush your teeth, it is essential to clean your tongue. But most of the time, people don’t wash their tongues. After eating, cleaning your tongue ensures no bacteria in your mouth. But if it is not cleaned correctly, the bacteria present in the tongue get to the teeth. This affects your oral health.
3. Using Old Toothbrush
Generally, You should use a toothbrush for only 60-90 days. Sometimes, people use the same toothbrush for months, which is bad for oral health. Using an old toothbrush will lead to the growth of harmful bacteria, which is responsible for destroying your oral health.
4. Brushing Teeth Too Hard
It is often logical to apply pressure when brushing your teeth. You often think brushing your teeth with pressure ensures cleanliness, but I suppose you might be wrong. Brushing quickly and putting pressure affects your enamel and leads to gum irritation. This eventually results in bleeding and discomfort.
5. Brushing Right After Eating
It is undoubtedly vital to wash your mouth and brush your teeth after a meal. But brushing your teeth right after your meal prevents leftover cleaning particles. These particles further contribute to tooth and gum decay. You must give yourself 30 minutes to brush your teeth after finishing your meal.
Best Practices For Healthy Teeth
Use Fluoride Toothpaste
Fluoride toothpaste is always an excellent option for your teeth. When it comes to brushing, fluoride toothpaste helps prevent tooth decay. So, if you brush twice daily, use fluoride toothpaste and avoid tooth decay.
Floss Once A Day
People are often found to ignore flossing when brushing their teeth. Little do we know that flossing is equally important as brushing. It helps you get rid of small pieces of food stuck in your teeth and gums. Apart from this, flossing helps in gum stimulation and prevents plaque essentially.
Schedule Frequent Dental Visits
Your overall oral health is mainly dependent on your daily habits. Thus, maintaining an oral health regime becomes a priority here. However, you must schedule dental visits at least every six months. Dental visits facilitate an understanding of your oral health and preventive measures that need to be undertaken.
Conclusion
Teeth are precious, they are irreplaceable. Taking care of your teeth should be your utmost responsibility. Maintaining proper oral health hygiene helps you to prevent any dental issues in the future. This makes eliminating poor brushing habits a necessity. With the following adequate brushing habits, you can save your teeth from harmful bacteria and cavities. Start good brushing practices today, and don’t let that smile fade from your face.
FAQs
1. When should I change my toothbrush?
You should change your toothbrush every three to four months, which will help you maintain your oral health properly. Don’t use your brush for a longer time or the bristles will become frayed and worn, losing its effectiveness.
2. What is the best technique to brush the teeth?
You need to place your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to your gums. After this, you should gently move the brush back and forth in short strokes. It’s also important that you brush the outer surfaces as well as the inner surfaces including the chewing surfaces of the teeth.