I’m a dentist and you’re probably brushing your teeth wrong – here are my tips for optimal oral health

A dentist has unveiled the top mistakes people make when brushing their teeth – and warns why these everyday errors could be dangerous to your oral health.

Dr Zaeem Jafri, a dental expert at British oral care company, Ordo, has shared six of the most common blunders made during our dental routine – including using a toothbrush in the shower and brushing your teeth the ‘wrong’ way.

While many of us believe we’re acting out healthy habits such as using ‘whitening’ products when we brush, Dr Zaeem says incorrect and ‘over complicated’ practices could be damaging to our oral health, eventually leading to tooth decay and gum loss.

To save us from our mistakes, the specialist has shared the best way to improve our oral routine and ensure overall good dental health. 

He said: ‘The way you brush your teeth is extremely important and if not done correctly it can have a negative impact on your oral health. 

Dental expert Dr Zaeem Jafri has revealed six dental habits that could be costly for your oral health (Stock image)

‘Not only can you damage your gums and teeth by brushing too hard, but if you’re not brushing correctly it can lead to a build-up of plaque, causing discolouration of teeth, tooth decay and in severe cases even tooth loss.’

Here, Dr Zaeem lays out his dos and don’ts for optimal dental health.

1. Let your electric toothbrush do the work 

Dr Zaeem says many people have a fondness for using their sonic or electric toothbrush in the way they would a manual one.

While a manual toothbrush requires a sustained and vigorous effort, the expert says electric toothbrushes are quite the opposite. He adds that failing to learn the difference between the two could be detrimental.

‘Electric toothbrushes are there to do the job for you, so using it like a manual toothbrush and brushing too hard will cause damage to your gums,’ said Dr Zaeem.

‘It can also cause your gums to recede, resulting in tooth loss. When using a sonic toothbrush you should place it on each tooth, at a 45 degree angle, hold it for three to five seconds and move on to the next one.’

2. Don’t brush your teeth in the shower 

Sometimes, the morning is a hectic blur of a hot shower and breakfast, before making a crazy dash out the door to begin your daily commute.

While logic may imply that brushing your teeth in the shower is the best way to save time and stress, Dr Zaeem explains why it’s the worst thing you can do. 

According to our expert, failing to use the oral freshener at the appropriate time could undo the hard work of your toothpaste in one swig (Stock image)

He said: It’s not a good idea to brush your teeth in the shower as moisture in the shower can create an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. 

‘This means that your perfectly clean toothbrush is now exposed to bacteria and therefore so is your mouth. The heat from the shower can also damage the bristles on a toothbrush!’

Do your gums and teeth a favour by brushing before or after you’ve used the shower or bathed. 

3. Don’t rush the mouthwash

While a manual toothbrush requires a sustained and vigorous effort, Dr Zaeem says electric toothbrushes are ‘there to do the job for you’ (Stock image)

Rumours abound about the best time to use mouthwash, ranging from immediately after brushing your teeth to right before bed. 

But according to our expert, failing to use the oral freshener at the appropriate time could undo the hard work of your toothpaste in one swig. 

He added: ‘When brushing your teeth, it’s important that you spit out any excess toothpaste after brushing. It’s even more important that you wait a bit before rinsing with water or mouthwash.

‘Doing so will wash away the concentrated fluoride in the remaining toothpaste, diluting it and reducing its full effects.’ 

For those who regularly use mouthwash, he advised waiting ‘a little while’ after brushing or choosing a completely different time.

Moreover he said the best time to use it is right after you’ve eaten so it can freshen your breath and wash away any acidic foods.

4. Remember to floss

We’ve all heard of cavities and plaque, and how a lack of brushing can cause damage to your teeth and gums; but did you know that failing to floss has the same effect?

According to Dr Zaeem, flossing removes plaque between teeth and out from under the gums, in places a toothbrush can’t reach. 

However if you never floss, it could cause serious problems including cavities, which result in tooth loss if not treated. 

‘You should floss in between your teeth, at least once a day, preferably at night before you brush your teeth,’ he added. 

‘Using a water flosser is an easy and effective way to include flossing into your regular routine, whilst still being gentle on the gums’.

5. Freshen up your toothbrush heads 

Dr Zaeem says that the longer you use a toothbrush head, the less effective it becomes at cleaning your teeth.

And that’s not all: ‘It [makes the toothbrush] more susceptible to contamination and potentially damaging to teeth and gums. 

‘We would always recommend changing the brush head on sonic toothbrushes or manual toothbrushes every two to three months. This way, you can be sure your toothbrush is performing at its best.’

6. Keep it simple 

From TikTok to supermarket shelves, many places claim to know the best oral products for your teeth – making it easy to get lost in the whirlwind.

But according to the doctor, the numerous toothpastes available on the market will only serve to ‘over complicate’ your oral routine. 

Whether it’s purple toothpaste, charcoal toothpaste or extra white ‘all you need is a simple all rounded toothpaste that will strengthen enamel, protect gums, remove plaque and restore natural whiteness’ said Dr Zaeem.

He also instructed us to brush our teeth for ‘two minutes’ each time and ‘twice a day’.