12 Common Dental Routine Mistakes and Fixes for Healthier Teeth

Dental Routine Mistakes

Mistake #01: Storing your toothbrush in the bathroom
Solution: Cover it and store it in a container (toiletry bag) in a drawer

Mistake #02: Not changing your toothbrush often enough
Solution: Change it every 3 months

Mistake #03: Using a hard toothbrush
Solution: Change to a soft brush

Why: a soft brush is more sensitive to the tooth enamel and your gum, which reduces receding gum

Mistake #04: Brushing too close to last meal
Solution: Wait at least 30 min after eating before brushing

Why: some food contain acids, and brushing to close to eating can damage the tooth enamel

Mistake #05: Not brushing your teeth long enough
Solution: Aim for ~2 min, no less

Mistake #06: Brushing horizontally
Solution: Brush in circles

Mistake #07: Not brushing at the right angle
Solution: Hold your brush at a 45° angle towards your teeth

Mistake #08: Brushing your teeth more than two times a day
Solution: 2 times is enough

Why: 2 times a day is the sweet spot in terms of time spent, cleanliness and strain on teeth & gum.

Mistake #09: Doing the same routine all the time
Solution: Change up your routine every now & then

Why: ensures that you brush in a conscious manner throughout and not get sloppy
Routine in this case means the order in which your brush your teeth (e.g. starting from the top right tooth)

Mistake #10: Not flossing
Solution: Start the habit of flossing every night (tell yourself that you are only going to floss one tooth)

Why:
Removes plaque and food particles from between your teeth, where your toothbrush can not reach. Plaque contains bacteria that can produce acids that attack your tooth enamel, leading to cavities. Also, if plaque is not removed, it can harden into tartar, which can irritate your gums and lead to gum disease. Gum disease is a serious condition that can lead to tooth loss.Freshens your breath by removing bacteria that live between the teeth.
How to:
Wrap the floss around your middle fingers, leaving about 5 cm (2 inches) of floss between them. Gently guide the floss between your teeth in a sawing motion. Curve the floss around each tooth in a C-shape and slide it up and down. Be sure to clean both the front and back of each tooth.

Mistake #11: Not cleaning your tongue
Solution: Apply a tongue scraper after having brushed your teeth

Why:
Removes bacteria and food debris. The tongue is a breeding ground for bacteria, and food debris can get stuck in the papillae (tiny bumps) on the tongue’s surface. Over time, this can lead to bad breath, cavities, and gum disease. Using a tongue scraper can help to remove bacteria and food debris, keeping your tongue clean and healthy.

Improves your sense of taste.

To freshen your breath, as bad breath is often caused by bacteria on the tongue.

To reduce plaque buildup. Plaque is a sticky film that forms on the teeth and gums. It contains bacteria that can cause cavities and gum disease. Using a tongue scraper can help to remove plaque from the tongue, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease.
How to:
Use a gentle motion, to avoid doing too hard which can irritate it.
Scrape from the back of your tongue to the front to remove bacteria and food debris.

Mistake #12: Rinsing your mouth with water
Solution: Rather rinse with mouthwash containing fluoride (or preferably in clean water with 2 drops of tea tree oil)

Why:
Removes plaque and food particles from between the teeth and from areas that are difficult to reach with a toothbrush/floss. Fluoride mouthwash can also help to re-mineralize and strengthen tooth enamel protecting teeth from the acids produced by plaque bacteria, which can help to prevent cavities.

By removing food particles and plaque bacteria, it also freshens breath.