Brushing teeth lesson

From the moment my first milk teeth came through, I was handed a toothbrush. My mother worked in a dental practice, so believe me, we had clean mouths. As a child, I naturally tried to avoid such a brushing session, but now I'm very glad my mother was strict about it.

That white row of teeth not only looks fresh and nice, but consistently taking care of your teeth also contributes to good health. Researchers have discovered a link between gum infections and heart and vascular diseases. Bacteria from the oral cavity can spread through your bloodstream and cause inflammation in the arteries. Not so pretty, then. Are you always in trouble during your annual dental check-up? Scratch your head, maybe you're doing something wrong above the sink.

1. You brush too short

Do you still hear your mother saying it? ‘Two minutes of brushing, child.’ The chance is very high that you don't even come close to those one hundred and twenty seconds. Just for fun, set your timer, bet that brushing suddenly takes an eternity?

2. You brush too hard

There's no need to brush hard over your teeth. Brushing hard unnecessarily damages your gums and doesn't make your teeth any cleaner.

3. You move too much

Brush a few teeth and then move on to the next section until you've covered your whole mouth. This way, you at least know you're getting your entire set of teeth. Moving like crazy from left to right and from top to bottom works quickly, but not optimally.

4. You don't brush consciously

Often, you do your brushing session quickly between all sorts of other things. Combing your hair, preparing lunch, gathering your things, and so on. It's better to take those few minutes and stand in front of the mirror. This way, you know you're at least brushing everywhere and cleaning your entire set of teeth.

5. You don't floss or use toothpicks or interdental brushes

Unfortunately, you can't clean everything in your mouth with just a toothbrush. Often, food particles remain between your teeth or behind your retainer. You can easily remove those with a piece of dental floss, an interdental brush, or a toothpick. A must-have in your handbag.

6. You brush right after eating

Many people jump up to grab their toothbrush right after taking the last bite. And that's not good at all, it turns out. Many foods contain acids and sugars that damage your enamel. By starting to brush right away, your teeth are unconsciously damaged. It's better to wait half an hour so that the enamel has time to recover.

7. You have the wrong toothbrush

Many people just grab the first toothbrush they see. However, it's better to look at which brush suits your teeth and mouth. For example, if you suffer from sensitive or even receding gums, it's wiser to choose a softer brush. If you have a small mouth, take a smaller brush so you can reach everywhere easily.

8. Your toothbrush is too old

Don't you replace your toothbrush every three months? You should. Your toothbrush is a nice breeding ground for bacteria. Rinse your brush after each use with warm water to keep it as clean as possible.