Although the majority follow a daily routine to maintain oral health and dental hygiene, it turns out that there are many who brush the wrong teeth, and do not know what to do and what to avoid when brushing their teeth.
Payal Bhalla, Principal Dentist and Clinical Director of Quest Dental, reveals common mistakes we can make when brushing our teeth and how to correct them.
“We are all in a hurry in the morning, but making time for our oral hygiene routine is imperative,” Payal says.
She adds that the mouth and teeth can carry a lot of germs so it’s important to make sure you brush, floss and use mouthwash (this is optional) twice a day, for an appropriate duration.
“Often, people only brush their teeth for 30 seconds, which is a very short period,” she added.
Spending two minutes brushing teeth is, as a general rule, the right amount of time, because we need to make sure each tooth is brushed effectively and any plaque and food residue removed, and that might take two minutes, if not longer.
It’s not just our teeth that need attention. “The tongue can carry a whole host of germs and bacteria, and if not cleaned properly it can cause bad breath,” explains Payal.
And she continued, “After brushing the teeth, give your tongue a brushing to remove any sticky materials that fall on it. You may also find that you want to use a mouthwash because this will help clean the mouth and tongue completely and remove any bacteria and remaining deposits.”
Many people think they need to brush hard to get rid of plaque, but Payal says it’s important to focus on movements and directions when brushing, rather than pressure.
She added, “Furthermore, brushing too hard can damage the enamel of the teeth. It may erode it and can also cause tooth sensitivity or gum problems, as brushing too vigorously can promote receding or bleeding gums.” .
“You should ideally change your toothbrush every three months, and if you use an electric toothbrush, you should change the brush head as well. It is unhygienic and in most cases a manual toothbrush loses its effectiveness following a certain period of time,” explains Payal.
When brushing your teeth, Payal says there are a few key movements and patterns a dentist recommends, to make sure you’re brushing every area of the tooth without skipping some.
And she continued, “If you always brush your teeth in the same pattern every day, for example starting at the top left and ending at the bottom right, there are good chances that you will cross some areas every day, and to prevent this, you should change the pattern with which you brush your teeth. And you may have to start Focus on brushing your teeth, but this will ensure that your teeth are brushed properly and that no areas are lost.
(metro)
