A woman whitens her teeth in this undated handout photo
IN PHOTO A woman whitens her teeth in this undated handout photo Reuters/Newscom/Handout

Brushing your teeth is a must in order to avoid having bad breath, gum infection and other dental or oral health problems. It is already a part of your every day ritual but the question is; are you brushing your teeth correctly? Here are five tooth brushing mistakes to avoid.

  1. Excessive brushing

Many people believe that the more frequent they brush their teeth the more likely they get whiter teeth and fresher breath. This is a very common mistake many commit. Excessive brushing is a no-no because it can harm the gums and cause the tooth enamel to wear down.

  1. Wrong products

People spend money on oral health products like toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and mouthwash. The fact is the first two are already enough to help you achieve whiter and stronger teeth and fresh breath. Stick to a brush with soft bristles and use toothpaste with fluoride. Beware of toothpastes that are loaded with chemicals that promise to whiten teeth. They have stronger ingredients that can irritate the gums and strip off the outer layer of the tooth enamel.

  1. Frequent brushing

The number of times you brush your teeth daily also contributes to your overall oral health. Many dentists advice brushing your teeth at least two to three times daily. However, there are those who do more or less than this. Not brushing especially after meals or before going to bed can cause bacteria to grow in the mouth while brushing more than three times a day can cause gums to bleed.

  1. Poor brushing technique

The manner as to how you brush your teeth also matters a lot. Many start brushing their teeth in the same part using hard and fast strokes. This is a mistake you have to avoid. The most practical thing to do is to alternate your starting point and use gentle circular strokes.

  1. Neglecting your tongue

The tongue is exposed to a lot of bacteria from the food we eat which is why it’s often the major cause of bad breath. Never neglect your tongue when brushing. You can use a tongue scraper or the back part f your toothbrush when cleaning. Be sure to clean the front and back parts of the tongue.

Try asking yourself how many of these tooth brushing mistakes to avoid you commit often. Make the necessary changes to your brushing routine to ensure you have strong, white teeth, fresh breath and clean mouth the whole day.

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