Top 13 Bad Habits When Brushing Teeth and Tips for Change

Most of us fall into this hard-to-break habit. Brushing teeth immediately after waking up, before having breakfast and doing other activities, prevents toothpaste from staying on the teeth long enough to clean the tooth surface. Moreover, brushing teeth right after waking up and then having breakfast buries the plaque, gradually eroding the teeth, causing cavities, and gum inflammation.

Advice: You should only rinse your mouth and then have breakfast. Brushing teeth about half an hour after breakfast is the most suitable time.

Brushing too quickly leaves dental plaque untouched, allowing bacteria to accumulate and lead to cavities and other issues. Brushing for an extended period or too vigorously can damage the gums, erode tooth enamel, and make teeth more vulnerable and sensitive.

Advice: Limit each brushing session to 2 - 3 minutes for optimal cleaning and dental health protection.

This habit is quite common, even in winter, many people still insist on brushing their teeth with cold water. This can cause damage to tooth enamel and make our teeth more sensitive and less healthy. Moreover, the fluoride content in toothpaste only works well at a temperature of 37 degrees Celsius; cold water will limit the effectiveness of this substance.

Advice: Use warm water to brush your teeth; the ideal water temperature for brushing is equivalent to our body temperature.

Choosing the right material for toothbrush bristles is a habit overlooked by many. Toothbrush bristles that are too hard can cause bleeding gums, surface enamel erosion, and damage to tooth enamel.

Advice: Choose brushes with very soft and small bristles to clean deeply and protect tooth enamel effectively.

Most of us apply toothpaste impulsively. Too little toothpaste won't remove all the dirt and plaque, while too much toothpaste exposes your nervous system to harmful compounds, eroding tooth enamel.

Advice: Use an amount of toothpaste equivalent to the size of a pea with each brushing.

Most of us focus only on the cleanliness and whiteness of the outer surface of teeth, forgetting that the back surface also needs cleaning. Plaque and bacteria accumulate on the back surface, causing uncomfortable dental issues.

Advice: When brushing, clean thoroughly from the outer surface to the inner surface, ensuring both sides are well taken care of.

Convenience is the major reason for people to maintain this habit. The humid environment in the bathroom makes toothbrushes susceptible to bacterial attacks, leading to fungus, contamination, and indirect intrusion into the teeth causing abnormalities when we brush.

Advice: Choose a dry, well-ventilated place to store the toothbrush, and after each use, ensure proper hygiene for the toothbrush.

Many people believe that the more they brush their teeth, the cleaner they will be. This mindset is completely mistaken; brushing teeth too often causes enamel erosion, making teeth more sensitive and prone to serious gum issues.

Advice: Brushing teeth 2-3 times a day, after breakfast, after lunch, and before bedtime, is the most reasonable approach.

A survey revealed that over 90% of the Chinese population adopts the improper practice of brushing teeth horizontally. The purpose of brushing is to eliminate bacteria and excess residue on the tooth surface, not to erode the teeth. Brushing horizontally on the tooth surface is akin to grinding teeth, incapable of removing residual debris and may lead to dental issues such as gum inflammation, periodontitis, or tooth sensitivity...

Recommendation: The best approach is to tilt the brush at a 45-degree angle to the tooth surface, brushing in a counterclockwise circular motion without excessive force.

Fluoride is an indispensable component in toothpaste. This substance helps strengthen and whiten teeth, prevents acid erosion, and combats tooth decay. Due to these benefits, many people mistakenly believe that toothpaste with a higher fluoride concentration is better. This notion is entirely incorrect. Excessive fluoride can have adverse effects, causing teeth discoloration and posing significant health risks, especially for young children.

Advice: Choose toothpaste with 0.1g of fluoride per 100g of toothpaste for optimal results.

This is a common mistake made by many Vietnamese when brushing their teeth. In fact, wetting the toothpaste before brushing is a significant error.

Recommendation: Ensure the toothbrush is always dry and clean before applying toothpaste, and avoid wetting the brush during brushing as it reduces the effectiveness of the toothpaste.

Many people think that it's unnecessary to be selective about the size of the toothbrush and that any toothbrush will do. However, using a randomly sized toothbrush can be detrimental to oral health. Choosing a toothbrush that is either too large or too small can result in inadequate cleaning, leading to gum disease in the long run.

Recommendation: Take the time to choose the right-sized toothbrush.