You’d be surprised at how many people don’t know about this simple oral hygiene rule
A dentist has uncovered a mistake that a lot of people are guilty of making when it comes to cleaning their teeth – and it might not be what you think.
Keeping your teeth clean and healthy takes effort and time – twice a day to be exact, two minutes each time.
It’s a nice feeling too, getting rid of that horrible morning breath or getting rid of all those pesky food particles, and it of course reduces the chances of you getting cavities or running into gum problems.
You should keep tabs on this one thing while cleaning your teeth. (Getty Stock Photos)
But apparently, there’s something that too many people do that could cost them their oral health, and you may not have had the thought until it’s too late.
Dental experts around the world have realised this problem, and are urging to act now if you’re a culprit of it.
Life can get busy after all, so getting things in our routine without thinking twice about it is quite easy to do – though some dentists have taken to social media to speak about the oral health worry.
A dental hygienist at Chelsea Dental Clinic has posted a short video on TikTok, explaining the problems that come with not knowing when it’s time to replace your toothbrush.
It’s a shock because a lot of people don’t have an idea of an exact timeframe or lifespan of a toothbrush.
The hygienist reveals all though, explaining: “Regardless of whether you have an electric or manual brush, you need to be changing your brush head at least every three months.
“The best way to tell if you need to change your brush is to hold it up and, from the back, if you can see the bristles splaying out – that means you need a new head,” she revealed.
She also highlighted that if your brush is wearing down quicker than it should, it could mean you’re brushing too hard.
The expert said: “If you’re scrubbing too hard with your toothbrush, this can lead to loss of enamel – which can make your teeth appear more yellow – or you can get recession, which is where the gum shrinks away. Neither of these look particularly attractive and can also cause lots of other problems.”
Checking the bristles on your toothbrush can indicate when it’s time to get a new one. (Getty Stock Photo)
You might think that there’s no such thing as brushing your teeth too much or too often, but this is a possibility and even brings about a number of issues if you’re not careful.
Not only will worn away enamel reveal yellow teeth, but your chompers could also become more sensitive to different temperatures and sensations.
According to the NHS, you should stick to this three-month rule, as studies show that toothbrushes are less effective at removing plaque after this period of time, meaning you’re leaving some of the bad particles behind.
It also means that you could be going around with bad breath, increasing the chance of cavities and at the most extreme, gum disease.
Featured Image Credit: Getty stock photos
