Top Five Brushing Errors

Brushing your teeth is somethng you should be doing 2-3 times a day. Does all that "practicing" make you an oral hygiene hotshot? Could you be making brushing mistakes and note even realize it? Check and see if you fall into any of these five common brushing mistakes:

1) Not brushing long enough. To really brush your teeth well, you should brush for a least two minutes - preferably three minutes.

2) Forgetting all the corners. Brushing should be an equal opportunity activity, targeting the inside, outside, and chewing surfaces of your teeth, as well as your gums, your tongue and the roof of your mouth. Sticking to a pattern with your brushing helps to not miss any areas. Then when you think you are done - go around one more time!

3) Pushing too hard. It is not how hard you brush, but how you brush that is key in good plaque removal. Brush with soft bristles and lighten up the pressure. Try using your non-dominate hand or grasp the toothbrush with only your first three fingers.

4) Bad form. Long sideway sweeps from your back teeth to your front and back again is bad form! Concentrate instead on small areas at a time, burshing gently in a cirular motion keeping your bristles at a 45 degree angle and brush away from the gums.

5) Overdoing the paste. Too much toothpaste won't harm you teeth, but it may mean you won't brush long enugh if you don't like the feeling of a mouth full of foam. Just a pea-size drop of toohpaste is sufficient.

Take note: Buying the most expensive toothbrush won't guarantee a better brushing... it comes down to what you do with your toothbrush that counts.