Quick Blog Summary
Even with daily brushing and flossing, small mistakes can put your teeth and gums at risk. Brushing too hard, skipping floss, using an old toothbrush, and neglecting regular checkups are common habits that can affect oral health. Making a few simple changes to your daily routine can help prevent dental problems and keep your smile healthy.
Introduction
Most people think they’ve got brushing and flossing down pat. They do it every day, every night, so it seems like they’re doing it all properly. Cavity and gum problems still turn up at the dentist though. The problem isn’t usually down to lack of effort. It’s usually a few little things that you’re doing which are actually working against your teeth.
We see these habits all the time at Contemporary Family Dentistry. The good news is that the vast majority of them are pretty easy to correct once you know what you’re looking for. Here are the ones we see most frequently, why they’re important and what you should do instead.
Brushing too hard
This one catches people out. You’d think that the harder you scrub the better your teeth would be. You’d be wrong. Hard brushing wears down enamel over time and will push your gums back. That exposes the roots of your teeth which are far more sensitive and far more prone to decay.
If your bristles splay out quite quickly or your gums have become quite thin then pressure is very likely the problem. Hold the brush at a 45 degree angle, use small gentle circles and let the bristles do the work. You should be feeling the bristles against your teeth not a scrubbing action which will just make your jaw ache.
Signs you are pushing too hard
Look out for sensitivity to cold drinks, notches right at the gumline and gums that bleed when you brush and will never stop bleeding. An electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor will be of use if you’re someone who tends to brush too hard.
Brushing for only 30 seconds
We’re all in a rush really. We’re brushing as the coffee’s brewing or as we’re looking for our car keys. Most dentists will tell you two minutes is the ideal time and that time actually passes a lot quicker than you’d imagine.
Try splitting your mouth into four quadrants and spending about 30 seconds on each. Start with the outer surfaces, then the inner surfaces and the chewing surfaces. Use a timer or a brush with one if you’re prone to losing track.
| Brushing habit | What it misses | Better approach |
| Quick 30 second brush | Back teeth and gumline | Two minutes, four quadrants |
| Only brushing front teeth | Molars where cavities often start | Angle the brush to reach every surface |
| Skipping the inner surfaces | Tooth areas facing the tongue | Tilt the brush and brush up and down |
| Brushing once a day | Plaque buildup overnight | Brush morning and before bed |
Skipping floss or flossing like it’s a chore
Brushing on its own leaves a lot to be desired. Floss gets into the areas between the teeth that a toothbrush simply can’t reach. The ADA have always pointed out that brushing alone will leave a significant proportion of the tooth surface uncleaned, which is why flossing daily is one of their recommended practices.
Some people floss once a week and that’s about it. Others floss by just snapping it in and causing little cuts which bleed. The correct way is to wrap the floss in a C shape around each tooth, glide it up and down gently and then move to the next tooth with a fresh section of floss.
As the ADA says, flossing every day is the way to get rid of the plaque and food that gets trapped between the teeth (areas a toothbrush simply can’t get to) and that’s why it’s such an important part of home care.
If traditional floss is a bit of an awkwardness then water flossers and interdental brushes are quite good alternatives. The best one is the one you’re actually going to use every day.
Keeping the same toothbrush for months
Your toothbrush isn’t meant to last for ever. Worn bristles are less effective at cleaning and can harbour bacteria. The general consensus among experts is that you should be replacing your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months, or sooner if the bristles are starting to fray.
Set a reminder on your phone for the first day of each new season. That’s a small thing to do but it makes a real difference. And of course replace your brush when you’ve been ill as germs can stay on the bristles.
| Sign it’s time to replace | What it means |
| Bristles are bent or splayed | The brush no longer cleans well |
| It’s been three to four months | Bristles have naturally worn down |
| You were recently sick | Germs may remain on the bristles |
| Bristle color has faded | Many brushes have indicator bristles that signal wear |
Brushing right after acidic foods and drinks
Acid softens the enamel for a short time after you’ve eaten or drunk something sugary or sour (soda, citrus, pickles, wine, sports drinks etc). If you then scrub right after that you can actually wear away that softened layer.
Wait 30 minutes before brushing. In that time rinse with water to wash away some of the acid and chew sugar free gum which will help your saliva to neutralise the acid more quickly.
Acid is not the only issue
Frequent snacking is important too. Every time you eat your mouth is going through an acid attack which can last for a long time. Sipping on a sugary drink all afternoon is going to keep your teeth under that acid attack. You want to try and eat your sugary foods as part of a meal rather than have them spread out throughout the day.
Forgetting your tongue
Your tongue has a very rough surface which collects bacteria, food and dead cells. That bacteria will obviously contribute to bad breath and will add to the overall bacterial load in your mouth. Most people will completely skip the tongue.
Use the tongue cleaner on your toothbrush or a simple tongue scraper. Just gently scrape it from the back of your tongue to the front and then rinse. Takes about 15 seconds and your mouth feels a lot fresher.
Relying too much on mouthwash
Mouthwash can help (it can reduce some of the bacteria and it will freshen your breath). It’s not a substitute for brushing and flossing though. A quick swish won’t get rid of the plaque that’s stuck to your teeth.
Some people will rinse straight away with mouthwash after brushing which will wash the fluoride out of the toothpaste before it has a chance to work. It’s worth trying waiting a bit after brushing before you rinse, or indeed using a fluoride rinse at a different time of day.
The MouthHealthy site from the ADA states that mouth rinses work best as an adjunct to brushing and flossing rather than as a replacement for them.
Ignoring the gumline and back teeth
The back teeth and the gum line are where plaque tends to hide most (they’re the areas you’re most likely to overlook as they’re not easily visible). It’s precisely in these areas that gum disease and cavities are most likely to start.
Angle your brush towards the gumline and spend a bit of extra time on the molars. If you’re experiencing any bleeding or swollen gums at all, don’t ignore it. Bleeding gums are often an early indicator of gum inflammation and a checkup can catch it before it really gets bad.
Skipping the dentist when your mouth feels fine
There are loads of problems which don’t actually cause any pain until they’ve got quite big. Cavities can develop quite quietly. Gum disease can go on for a long time without causing any pain at all. That’s why it’s so important to have your teeth checked and cleaned regularly even if your mouth feels perfectly fine.
The CDC report is that just about half of all adults 30 and over have some form of gum disease and many of them have no idea. A professional cleaning will remove the tartar (hardened plaque) that brushing alone can’t get rid of and the check-up allows us to catch any problems early on.
Gum disease is very common in adults according to the CDC, which is why it’s so important to have regular dental visits even if you’re brushing and flossing on a daily basis.
Quick reference: mistakes and fixes
| Common mistake | Simple fix |
| Brushing too hard | Use gentle pressure and small circles |
| Rushing through brushing | Spend two full minutes |
| Skipping floss | Floss once a day with a C shape motion |
| Using an old brush | Replace every three to four months |
| Brushing right after acid | Wait about 30 minutes |
| Ignoring the tongue | Clean it gently each morning |
| Treating mouthwash as a replacement | Use it as a bonus step |
| Skipping checkups | Keep regular visits and cleanings |
Making small changes that stick
You don’t need to fix it all overnight. Just pick one or two habits to change this week. You might buy a new toothbrush and start using a timer. You might simply keep the floss by your sink so that it’s always there. Little wins add up to create a routine that will actually protect your smile for years.
If you’re not sure what habits are actually damaging your teeth then just ask us. We’d rather walk you through your routine than have you going through all sorts of problems that could have been easily avoided.
Wrapping up
Oral hygiene isn’t about being perfect. It’s about having a set of habits that work with your mouth rather than against it. Gentle brushing, actual flossing, a decent toothbrush and regular visits to the dentist will do a lot. Once you’ve spotted the errors most of them are fairly easy to correct.
If you’ve been wondering whether your routine is actually working then book in with us. We’ll do a full check over your teeth and gums, look at your habits and put together a plan that works for you.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know that I’m brushing too hard?
If your gums look pale, your teeth are sensitive to the cold or you can see notches right at the gumline then you’re probably brushing too hard. Try holding the brush like a pencil and using a lot less pressure. A soft bristle brush will also help.
Is an electric toothbrush better than a manual one?
Both can clean very effectively if used properly. The electric brush will often make it easier to brush for the two minutes and to use a light touch. If you’re already a good brusher with a manual brush then you don’t need to switch. Just pick the one you’re going to use.
Can I skip flossing if I use a water flosser?
A water flosser can be a useful addition, but it works best in conjunction with brushing and for many people traditional floss or interdental brushes. We can advise you on which tools are best suited to your teeth and gums.
Why do my gums bleed when I floss?
You may well get some bleeding when you start flossing on a daily basis, particularly if you’ve not flossed for a while. The gums will generally settle down within a week or two of you flossing regularly. If the bleeding persists or your gums remain swollen then do book in for a checkup so we can have a proper look at them.
How often should I have the dentist for a cleaning?
The majority of people do fine with a checkup and cleaning every 6 months. Some people will require more frequent visits depending on their gum health, cavity history and so on. We’ll put together a regime that’s appropriate for you.
