Youre brushing your teeth wrong 5 mistakes that can lead to damage, decay and bad breath
Think you’ve got brushing your teeth down? Think again.Dr.
Arash Ravanbakhsh, the owner of Inglewood Family Dental in Calgary, Canada, recently shared five common mistakes people make while brushing their teeth.Be careful — ignoring his advice could lead to weakened enamel, gum damage, and even bad breath.It might seem natural to clean your teeth after your first meal of the day to wash away the taste of your morning coffee.
However, Dr.Ravanbakhsh warns that acidic foods like orange juice and toast can weaken enamel, and brushing too soon afterward could cause further damage. “Dentists recommend brushing first thing in the morning before breakfast, as it removes plaque and bacteria from your mouth built-up during your sleep,” he said.
“The toothpaste also provides greater protection against acidic foods, while the method of brushing jump-starts your saliva production, helping break your food down.”If you absolutely can’t resist the urge to brush post-breakfast, he recommends waiting at least 30-60 minutes to protect your enamel.In the meantime? Use mouthwash.
“Rinsing your mouth with mouthwash after eating also prevents food remnants from sticking to your teeth and prevents bacteria buildup,” he said.It might also feel natural to rinse immediately after brushing your teeth — after all, you’re already there and how likely are you to think about your teeth again before the evening? But Dr.
Ravanbakhsh advises against this as it can make the toothpaste less effective.“Once you have finished brushing your teeth, you should spit out any residual toothpaste,” he said.
“By rinsing your mouth with water immediately after brushing, you wash away the fluoride, which is there to help prevent things like tooth decay.”Once again, if you absolutely must, he recommends waiting at least 10-15 minutes before putting any liquids in your mouth to allow the fluoride to settle and strengthen your enamel.Scrubbing your teeth like you’re trying to ...