• Rinsing your mouth with water or mouthwash after brushing could lead to tooth decay, the dentist warns.
• Dr. Arash Ravanbakhsh advises not to brush your teeth right after breakfast or any meal, as this may weaken your enamel.
• By holding your toothbrush with three fingers, you will ensure a safer, gentler cleaner without damaging your teeth or gums.
Dental hygiene should be a staple of every person’s daily routine, both at the start and end of each day.
Calgary dentist Dr. Arash Ravanbakhsh has revealed the truth behind some teeth-cleaning myths and why your methods may harm oral health.
Rinsing your mouth after brushing
Some may find it natural to rinse their mouth with water after cleaning their teeth, but experts have warned this reduces the effects of your toothpaste. Once you have finished brushing your teeth, you should spit out any residual toothpaste. By rinsing your mouth with water immediately after brushing, you wash away the fluoride to help prevent things like tooth decay. If you must rinse or drink anything, dentists recommend waiting between 10 and 15 minutes to allow the fluoride to remineralize your enamel.
Cleaning your teeth after breakfast
A common practice for many people is cleaning their teeth after consuming breakfast in the morning, but this may be harmful. For some, the fresh, minty taste of toothpaste ruins the taste of breakfast, prompting them to clean after their first meal of the day instead. However, if you decide to brush shortly after breakfast, this could cause damage, with bread, orange juice and acidic options like citrus fruit weakening your enamel.
Dentists recommend brushing first thing in the morning before breakfast, as it removes plaque and bacteria from your mouth built-up during your sleep. The toothpaste also provides greater protection against acidic foods, while the method of brushing jump-starts your saliva production, helping break your food down. If you must brush after breakfast or food, it is advised you to wait 30-60 minutes, so you don’t weaken your enamel. Rinsing your mouth with mouthwash after eating also prevents food remnants from sticking to your teeth and prevents bacteria buildup.
Brush your teeth harder for a better clean
Just because you brush your teeth harder does not mean you are giving them a more thorough clean, in fact, this could damage your teeth and gums. To safely and properly clean your teeth, use a manual brush with soft bristles or an electric toothbrush. In addition to causing sensitive teeth, an easy way to spot if you are brushing too hard is by checking your bristles to see if they are worn down.
Another simple technique to soften your teeth cleaning is simply by holding your brush with just three fingers, this way it helps keep the pressure light compared to using your whole wrist.
Brushing your teeth twice a day is enough
While dentists recommend brushing your teeth twice a day, this is not the only cleaning method you should be using daily. Mouthwash and flossing also play a huge role in keeping your oral hygiene in top condition. Using mouthwash after meals is beneficial for removing food debris, however it should not be used immediately after brushing as, much like rinsing with water, it washes away the fluoride.
You may not need to use dental floss as frequently as toothpaste, but it should still be a part of your daily dental cleaning. You should floss once a day, with some studies suggesting that flossing before brushing could help remove more plaque. As well as giving you fresher breath and removing debris from your teeth, flossing also plays an important role in protecting you from cavities.
There is no wrong way to brush your teeth
You may think your teeth brushing method is effective and does no harm, but you could be missing vital spots. Simply going along your teeth in broad strokes from left to right is not recommended, instead focus on tooth-by-tooth, massaging each one softly in back-and-forth or circular motions. Keeping your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle is also beneficial in helping you reach all the small nooks and crannies in your mouth. Don’t forget: brushing your tongue at the very end is essential for eliminating bacteria and improving your breath.
