You’ve probably been brushing your teeth all wrong… these are the mistakes most people make plus what you should be doing
YOU probably brush your teeth twice a day and have done since you were a kid, so it might be a surprise to learn a lot of us are getting it wrong.
From selecting the wrong kind of toothpaste to rinsing at the wrong moment, it turns out there are a lot of ways you could be messing up.
Here's what you should be doing... including the gross reason you probably need to move your toothbrush straight away.
Brush before you eat
Most people clean their teeth after a meal, but that's not always the best idea.
Acidic food, like fruit and juices, can wear down enamel, so if you brush straight away you might damage your teeth.
Instead brush before you eat to give some protection, or wait 30mins after a meal.
Make sure you clean for at least two minutes too.
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Don't forget the gums
Despite the name, brushing isn't just about the teeth.
It's important to clean the area between the teeth and gums to make sure no food is stuck there - that's what causes cavities.
Similarly don't forget your tongue. It can grow a “bacteria nest”, which results in conditions such as gum disease, tooth decay and bad breath.
Brush one at a time
It might sound tedious, but focusing on each tooth is the only way to make sure you've got rid of all debris trapped around it.
Whizzing your brush across teeth quickly isn't going to do much to clean them at all.
On top of that, don't forget to brush the backs.
Don't put your brush by the loo
Every time you flush the loo, particles from inside it are released into the air.
So that's right - stick your brush by the toilet and you could inadvertently be coating it in poo.
Never rinse
Most people rinse their mouths with water after brushing, or they might use mouthwash instead.
This isn't a good idea, , as you're actually getting rid of all the protection from your toothpaste.
Instead spit and leave well alone.
You're using the wrong pressure
Often it’s believed that brushing your teeth extra hard will help remove all the dirt from in between each tooth, but it can actually cause damage.
According to , brushing too hard wears down enamel and tears your gums.
On the flip side some people only lightly touch their teeth with the toothbrush, which is not enough to keep them clean.
If you can still see plaque or any gunk after, you haven’t brushed thoroughly enough.
Pick the right paste
If you’re looking to have whiter teeth then whitening toothpastes are not the solution as they’re too harsh for your gums.
Instead, choose a fluoride toothpaste and ensure you regularly brush all those hard to reach places.
It's not just teeth brushing which can be confusing either.
You've probably been making your cups of tea wrong too, plus there's actually a proper way to use dry shampoo.