High-quality hygienic treatment of the oral cavity is the main condition for the good condition of not only the teeth and gums, but also the organs of the respiratory system and digestive tract. Find out what are the 10 most common mistakes that we constantly make.
10. Storage of the toothbrush in a closed container
Now it’s very fashionable to store your toothbrushes in special containers and caps. However, few people know that the brush should completely dry after use. Otherwise, pathogenic microorganisms will appear and begin to multiply actively on its surface, which, getting into the oral cavity, can cause the development of an infectious process there.
Evidence of improper storage of the toothbrush is the appearance on it of an unpleasant odor or darkening of the bristles. Such a brush must necessarily be replaced.
9. Starting the procedure from the same place
All dentists agree that always starting brushing your teeth from the same place, we significantly reduce the effectiveness of hygienic processing of the mouth. This is due to the fact that usually a person begins to brush his teeth very hard, and closer to the completion of the process, the excitement begins to subside. Because of this, experts urge to periodically change the “starting position”.
8. Lack of rinsing
Dentists insist that after each use, the toothbrush must be thoroughly rinsed to remove not only traces of toothpaste, but also most of the bacteria that accumulate on the bristles after brushing. If you only rinse the bristles superficially, then the bacteria that you removed from the oral cavity will simply return to their place when you reuse the brush.
It should be noted that proper care of the toothbrush extends its life.
7. Incorrect cleaning technique
Now very often in kindergartens, schools and other institutions, master classes are held that teach children the correct technique of brushing their teeth. Unfortunately, according to statistics, many adults have no idea what brush movements should be on the surface of the teeth when processing them. Many believe that movements should be predominantly horizontal instead of vertical. Also, some of them neglect the need to clean the palate and the surface of the tongue.
6. Lack of hygiene of the inside of the teeth
After making sure that the “facade” side of the teeth is cleaned of plaque, we are usually satisfied with this and complete the procedure. At the same time, forgetting that not less plaque accumulates on the back of the teeth. As a result, tartar is formed there, which, in turn, after some time, turns into caries - the main cause of tooth decay.
Dentists insist that special attention should be paid to the back when brushing your front teeth. It is there that a large amount of plaque accumulates, which may in the future lead to the development of caries.
5. Not enough cleaning time
Ideally, brush your teeth three times a day, with the entire procedure lasting at least 2 minutes. Of course, few of us are able to devote several minutes to hygienic tooth treatment in the afternoon, but brushing them in the morning and evening is a prerequisite for maintaining a healthy oral cavity. Remember: it’s better to take a few extra minutes a day to brush your teeth, than to allocate a lot of money for visits to the dentist.
4. Using the wrong brush
Now the shelves of shops are full of various toothbrushes. They can be equipped with various additional functions that, according to manufacturers, should provide even more thorough care. Basically, such “bells and whistles” are just a marketing ploy that can significantly increase the price of a product.
First of all, when buying a toothbrush, you need to pay special attention to such characteristics as the size of the head and the stiffness of the bristles. An excessively large brush greatly complicates the entire cleaning process and makes it insufficiently effective, especially when it comes to a children's brush. If there are gum diseases, then experts recommend purchasing a softer brush so as not to irritate the mucous membrane once again.
3. Not enough brush replacement
The “golden” rule of dentists is that a toothbrush should be replaced every 90 days. This principle applies to both conventional brushes and nozzles for electrical appliances. Many modern brushes are equipped by manufacturers with indicators - bristles painted in bright colors begin to fade as they wear, thereby reminding the owner of the end of their life.
2. Wrong bristle selection
When choosing a toothbrush, it is equally important to pay attention to the angle at which the bristles are embedded in the base. Best of all, if there is a combination of vertically arranged bristles with built-in at a certain angle. It should also be noted that bristles can be made exclusively from synthetic materials.
1. Excessively frequent and vigorous cleaning
In almost any business, busting leads to a loss. This rule also holds true for brushing your teeth. More than 3 treatments per day is too much. By a pathological craving for cleanliness, instead of absolute sterility in your mouth (which in principle cannot be achieved by any means), you will achieve irritation of the mucosa and thinning of tooth enamel. This is especially true for those who fall for marketing tricks, opt for the use of toothpastes with whitening pigments. Therefore, in matters of hygiene, reasonable moderation should also be shown so that your zeal does not cause additional health problems.