The do’s and don’ts of brushing and flossing: Are you doing it right?

We all care about our oral health and for that, we never forget to brush and floss our teeth in routine. But, many of us don’t know the proper brushing technique and how to floss correctly. By doing them in the wrong way we are unknowingly compromising our oral hygiene. Common mistakes when brushing teeth are:

• Hard brushing can damage gums and tooth enamel.
• Not brushing for two minutes and hurriedly finish up brushing.
• Don’t remove food particles between teeth with flossing
• Using a toothbrush with hard bristles. Not replacing your toothbrush regularly
• Not applying toothpaste in the right quantity, either it is too much or too little.

Understand these mistakes and practice the right brushing and flossing method to avoid tooth decay, gum disease, and other health issues that may arise because of oral infections.

The Right Way to Brush Your Teeth

Choosing the Right Toothbrush

To follow the proper brushing technique, you need to pick the right toothbrush. A good toothbrush is efficient in cleaning and does not damage your teeth and gums. Dentists recommend using toothbrushes with soft bristles because hard bristles can be too harsh to the gums causing them to move back and also damage tooth enamel with continuous use. For more efficient cleaning of plaque, you can go for electric toothbrushes. It is an especially good option for people who struggle with brushing correctly. So, remember your toothbrush should have:

• Soft bristles
• Comfortable grip
• and a small head that can easily reach all areas of your mouth, including the back teeth.

Step-by-Step Brushing Guide

Brushing your teeth properly is more than just scrubbing them back and forth. For the best way to clean teeth follow these steps:

1. Apply the fluoride toothpaste on the brush in a quantity equal to pea size.
2. Hold your toothbrush so the bristles point toward your gums at a 45-degree angle. This helps clean both the teeth and the plaque around the gumline.
3. Brush teeth in a circular motion without applying too much pressure. Brushing aggressively with high pressure can damage gums.
4. Start with the outer surfaces (the front of your teeth), then move to the inner surfaces (the back of your teeth), and finally clean the chewing surfaces (the tops of your molars). Make sure to reach your back teeth, as they are more likely to develop cavities.
5. After brushing and flossing your teeth and gums, gently brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth because bacteria can also build up in these two places.
6. Brush for two minutes at least then spit out the toothpaste. Do not immediately rinse your mouth with water. Let the fluoride stay on your teeth for a while and do its process.
7. Brush two times a day, firstly in the morning because bacteria build up in the mouth overnight and secondly at night after a meal to clean away food particles and plaque from the day.

How Long Should You Brush?

One of the common mistakes when brushing teeth is to brush for a short time. Mostly people brush for hardly 30 to 40 seconds which is not appropriate according to dental experts because a proper removal of bacteria and plaque needs time. At least two minutes must be given to brushing to clean your teeth and mouth properly. To ensure you’re brushing long enough:

• Use a timer or a stopwatch to track two minutes.
• Play an audio of two minutes time duration.
• Electric toothbrushes are available in the market that have built-in timer systems. It vibrates or gives signals when two minutes are finished.

Flossing: The Often-Ignored Essential

When we eat, food particles are stuck in spaces between the teeth. This gives rise to plaque and bacteria that have to be removed to prevent tooth damage. Here brushing and flossing is the only solution as it can clean these spaces properly which a brush cannot do.

How often should you floss for healthy gums? And how to floss is a question most of us wonder. So here is the detailed explanation.

Why Flossing Is crucial?

Brushing teeth is in our daily dental care routine but it can clean 60% of your mouth i.e. your teeth from the front, back, and top. What about the rest of 40%, the narrow spaces between your teeth? How they will be cleaned? Flossing is the only solution because it removes trapped food particles, bacteria, and plaque in between your teeth. If not removed properly you may get:

• Tooth cavities,
• Gum disease,
• and bad breath issues.

Correct flossing technique

Flossing the right way ensures your teeth and gums stay healthy. If you are wondering how to floss correctly? Just follow these steps for the best results:

• Use the right length of dental floss about the length of your arm from hand to elbow, approximately 18 inches long. This ensures you have a fresh section of floss for each tooth.
• Wrap the floss properly with most of the floss around the middle fingers of both hands, leaving a small section (about 1-2 inches) to work with. Use your thumbs and index fingers to gently floss.
• Gently slide the floss between your teeth. Avoid snapping it down forcefully, as this can hurt your gums.
• When the floss touches your gumline, bend it into a C-shape around one tooth. Gently slide it up and down along the side of the tooth, making sure it reaches below the gumline.
• Use a clean section of floss for every tooth as it is the best way to clean teeth and to avoid spreading bacteria. Don’t forget the back of your last teeth.
• Floss once a day and the best time is before bedtime to remove all food and plaque that has built up during the day.

Best types of floss

Best toothbrush and floss for oral hygiene should be your priority. There are different types of floss. Get expert advice to pick the one that matches your needs.

·      Waxed Floss

Has a thin coating of wax that helps it slide easily between tight teeth. Good for people having teeth that are closely spaced.

·      Unwaxed Floss

A thinner option that works well for people with more space between their teeth but can break more easily.

·      Water Flossers

These use a stream of water to clean between teeth and are great for people with braces, dental implants, or sensitive gums.

·      Dental Tape

A wider and flatter type of floss that works well for people with larger gaps between their teeth

Common Mistakes to Avoid During Brushing and Flossing

Learn good brushing and flossing methods for the best way to clean teeth. Some common mistakes when brushing teeth or flossing are made without realizing it.

Brushing And Flossing Too Hard

Forceful brushing of teeth is considered a better way to clean by many. But this is not a good practice because brushing too hard can wear down your enamel (the protective outer layer of your teeth), cause gum irritation, and gums gradually begin to leave teeth by which a tooth loosens its grip. Further, this can lead to tooth sensitivity and gum problems. So, it’s important to:

• Follow the proper brushing and flossing technique,
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush,
• Brush gently in circular motions instead of scrubbing back and forth.
• Do not apply unnecessary pressure while brushing.

Skipping Flossing

Brushing alone does not clean the spaces between your teeth. Food and bacteria can get stuck there, leading to plaque buildup, cavities, and gum disease. Many people skip flossing because they find it difficult or time-consuming, but it should be in your daily dental care routine. You must floss once a day and the best time is before going to bed at night. If flossing with string is difficult, consider using a water flosser or dental picks.

Using the Wrong Toothpaste

Not all toothpaste is the same. Some are designed for:

• Whitening,
• Sensitivity,
• Tartar control.

First, know your dental issue then pick the right one otherwise choosing the wrong one may not give you the protection your teeth need. So far fluoride toothpaste is the best option for preventing cavities, as fluoride helps strengthen enamel and fight decay. On the other hand, whitening toothpaste can be too harsh for people with sensitive teeth and may wear down enamel over time. Charcoal toothpaste is in trend nowadays but it can be too abrasive, leading to enamel erosion. Ask your dentist for recommendations if you’re unsure.

Not Replacing Your Toothbrush Often Enough

Over time, toothbrush bristles become worn out and less effective at cleaning your teeth. Bacteria may also reside in an old toothbrush which is not good for your oral health.

Replacing a toothbrush every three months is the best way to clean teeth properly and thoroughly. If you’ve been sick, replace your toothbrush after getting better because this will prevent reintroducing bacteria into your mouth.

Debunking Myths About Oral Hygiene

Myth	The Truth
Flossing creates gaps in teeth	Flossing does not create gaps. When done correctly, it removes plaque and food between teeth. Skipping flossing can lead to gum disease and real gaps.
Brushing harder cleans teeth better	Brushing too hard damages enamel and can injure gums, causing sensitivity and recession. Use a soft-bristled brush with gentle, circular motions.
Mouthwash can replace flossing	Mouthwash kills bacteria and freshens breath, but it doesn’t remove plaque or food particles. Flossing is still essential to clean between teeth properly.

Conclusion

A proper brushing and flossing techniques correctly are simple habits that can save you from serious dental problems. By using the right techniques, choosing the best tools, and avoiding common mistakes when brushing and flossing teeth, you can keep your teeth strong and increase their life. Take charge of your oral health today, and book your next cleaning with Klinika Dental Clinic in Dubai. They ensure your teeth get the professional care they deserve.