Island Dental blog

3 Common Mistakes You Might Be Making When Brushing Your Teeth

January 17, 2023

We brush our teeth automatically, almost as a reflex action. It’s a regular part of our personal hygiene routine, essential for good oral health and dental care, as your dentist in Marco Island will tell you. However, are we doing it correctly? Let's see if you are making any of these common mistakes.

A dentist in Marco Island teaching a girl how to properly brush her teeth while her mom smiles and watches

Excessive Rinsing of the Toothbrush

It’s common to wet the toothbrush paste consciously before starting. However, doing so isn’t recommended because it can cause the toothpaste to lose some of its properties. Unless you have enough toothpaste left on the toothbrush, cleaning your teeth won’t be effective. In addition, using a toothbrush that is not too wet is a better way to eliminate the dirt and food debris.

Not Brushing the Back of the Teeth

Most people pay more attention to the external and more visible side of their teeth. However, the inner surface requires the same care to avoid the formation of tartar, caries and other associated problems. Moreover, the same technique should be followed as on the external side and it’s important to remember to move the toothbrush from the gum to the tooth and not the other way around.

Applying an Excessive Amount of Toothpaste

Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t necessary to apply toothpaste along the entire length of the toothbrush. The use of a larger amount of paste produces an increase in the foam that is formed during brushing, which produces a false sensation of hygiene. That’s why we should not associate the use of a lot of toothpaste or even brushing too hard with better oral hygiene.

A young dentist in Marco Island teaches a girl how to brush her teeth correctly using a teeth model

Need a Dentist in Marco Island? We Are Here for You.

Complement good dental hygiene at home with regular visits to your dentist to ensure excellent oral health. If you need an appointment, you can call us today at Island Paradise Dental and we will schedule it as soon as possible.

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