The Tribune

By Dr Sparkman Ferguson

Registrar of the Bahamas Dental Council

Most people have a special tooth brushing routine. They can be found brushing and humming in the shower, or walking all through their homes with the toothbrush stuck in one corner of the mouth. There is usually no thinking involved. It’s all autopilot. However, for the best results, tooth brushing needs to be a conscious process.

• Mistake 1: Brushing without a face mirror

Although not mandatory, brushing without a mirror takes away our vision of the process. When we can see, we can brush more effectively.

• Mistake 2: Brushing with the wrong toothbrush

A soft bristle toothbrush is recommended for persons of all ages. Medium and hard bristle toothbrushes should be avoided.

• Mistake 3: Brushing too short a time

For effective brushing, a minimum of two minutes is recommended two times a day. Making the brushing time longer adds the benefit of extra cleansing and gum stimulation.

• Mistake 4: Over brushing

This over brushing refers to the “strong arm sawing” on the enamel rather than brushing for too long a time. This over zealous brushing causes enamel abrasions and sensitive teeth. Take care to allow the bristles on a manual or electric toothbrush do the work rather than arm strength.

• Mistake 5: Brushing with the wrong technique

The right brushing technique always involves brushing with a soft toothbrush and a motion that pulls the gums toward the teeth. Another good technique is brushing so that the brush bristles are just under the gum lines.

• Mistake 6: Unwise picking of dental products

Always switch up dental products to protect your teeth. Alternate between regular toothpastes and whitening toothpastes. Remember that whitening pastes have more abrasives in them and should be used intermittently.

• Mistake 7: Incorrect toothbrush storage

Ideally, your toothbrush should be air-dried and stored standing in a holder. Leaving it lying on the bathroom counter exposes it to germs from your sink or your toilet.

• Mistake 8: Not knowing when to change the toothbrush

A toothbrush should be changed every three to four months. The toothbrush is less effective after a few months because the bristles become softer from use.

• Mistake 9: Not changing your toothbrush after some illnesses

Your toothbrush should be changed after you have had a bout of the flu or a throat infection. Changing the brush will avoid reintroducing germs into the mouth, thereby reducing the chances of reinfection.

Conclusion

Although tooth brushing seems a simple task, it can be very complicated if the mistakes mentioned in this article are not taken seriously. It is noteworthy that many dental concerns stem from employing these very mistakes. It is well worth the effort to correct any/all brushing mistakes in an effort to better one’s oral health.