Open your mouth, put in your toothbrush and off you go! Most of us brush our teeth according to this principle. However, we should pay more attention to our dental health, because brushing incorrectly can actually damage teeth and gums.
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5 mistakes that everyone makes when brushing their teeth
1. the wrong brush head
With many toothbrushes, the brush head is far too large, making it difficult to reach the molars. It is much better to use toothbrushes with a small brush head so that you can also reach the back teeth better.
2. the brushing time is too short
Do you always have a furry feeling on your teeth, even though you brush them regularly? Then you are probably brushing too little! As a child, the dentist always preached that you should brush your teeth for at least two minutes - and that hasn't changed if you want to remove plaque thoroughly.
3. you use a lot of force
Oh dear, are you also a real "pusher" when brushing? This leaves serious marks on your teeth in the long term, as you are literally brushing notches into them. This is often an unconscious behavior, as brushing is usually done with force, as we know it from scrubbing tiles, for example. But it's different with teeth. Brush gently and for longer to remove plaque thoroughly!
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4. the toothbrush is nice and hard
Hard toothbrushes, like brushing too hard, are not at all good for teeth and gums. If the two come together, it can even be fatal. Do your gums bleed after brushing? That's no wonder with such hard brushes. It's better to use medium-hard to soft brushes. You can also ask your dentist for advice on which brush is best for your teeth.
5 The brushing direction doesn't matter
If you want your teeth to be thoroughly clean, the brushing direction also plays a role. Dentists recommend systematic brushing according to the so-called KAI principle: First come the chewing surfaces, then the teeth from the outside, i.e. the outer surfaces, and finally the inner surfaces.
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