Brushing seems simple but very few of us brush our teeth ideally. Common mistakes and ways to fix them are mentioned below.

1) Choosing the wrong brush!

It is very important that you reach every corner of your mouth with your toothbrush to loosen food particles stuck between your teeth. The bristles of the brush should be soft and flexible to ensure proper cleaning of the gums. The belief that hard bristles clean teeth better is not true. Brushes with medium or hard bristles used with force can remove the protective layer of your teeth - enamel and damage the gums. This results in sensitivity to cold drinks.

2) Using a toothbrush for too long!

The average life of a toothbrush with constant use (twice a day for seven days a week) is about three months. With daily use, bacteria and food particles start to accumulate on the toothbrush. The bristles lose their effectiveness as they wear out and become bent. You need to replace your brush after getting sick or after about 200 uses.

3) Brushing your teeth for insufficient time!

At least two minutes is the recommended time to brush your teeth. The average person brushes for only 45 seconds, which is not enough time for fluoride to bind to tooth enamel. For this, I recommend using an electric toothbrush with a clock or timer.

4) You skip brushing before bed!

It usually takes 24 hours for the biofilm of bacteria on teeth to harden into plaque. If we don't brush twice a day, the bacteria have more time to damage the teeth and gums. Brushing before going to bed at night can help protect the teeth from fluoride for a longer period of time.