Cleaning your teeth and keeping a healthy smile is easier said than done. There is a lot of misleading advice out there and so many products to choose from how do you know what’s best?! We have plenty of articles to help you maintain your oral hygiene but here are some common things people do but are a big no-no when it comes to brushing your teeth!

1. Spit Don’t Rinse

Fluoride is the most important ingredient of your toothpaste, it prevents tooth decay and helps remineralisation. To give the fluoride the best chance of doing it’s job and keeping your teeth healthy, spit don’t rinse! Let the fluoride sit as a layer on your teeth to give the full benefit of brushing your teeth.

2. Stay away from the toilet!

This may be surprising but I have seen people keep their toothbrushes very close to their toilet, even sometimes on the top basin! Keeping your toothbrushes close to the toilet means every time you or someone else flushes, little spray particles will be flying from the toilet onto your toothbrush. Your toothbrush will never be completely germ free but it will definitely help moving it away from the toilet, you know just to be on the safe side.

3. Sharing is a no-go

Sharing really isn’t caring when it comes to toothbrushes. It doesn’t matter how close you are, or if you’re related, whether it was accidental or intentional, using someones toothbrush or them using yours, can expose your mouth to infection. Toothbrushes can be a harbour for diseases, including blood-borne diseases and illnesses. When people brush their teeth and their gums bleed, that bacteria or virus can be passed onto the toothbrush and onto the other person who uses it. So please do not share your toothbrush with anyone.

4. Brushing is NOT a quick fix

This probably sounds crazy but brushing your teeth straight after eating something is not good for your teeth. After eating or drinking anything bad for your teeth the acids make them weaker and if you brush right after you will be rubbing away the enamel. This could lead to toothache and sensitivity. Wait at least an hour before brushing your teeth to let your mouth recover.

5. ‘Brushing too much’ is actually a thing

Twice a day is the recommended amount of times you should brush your teeth, anymore and you could be brushing away the enamel of your teeth. You might think brushing hard gives it the most thorough clean but it can be harmful. Two minutes twice a day is enough to keep your teeth healthy.

Maintaining good oral health directly affects your overall health so make you are keeping away from these 5 faux pas’. If you want some advice on how to keep your smile looking amazing, book an appointment with one of our hygiene team. Call our reception team on 0191 259 6506.