You’re brushing your teeth wrong — 5 mistakes that can lead to damage, decay and bad breath

Think you’ve got brushing your teeth down? Think again.

Dr. Arash Ravanbakhsh, the owner of Inglewood Family Dental in Calgary, Canada, recently shared five common mistakes people make while brushing their teeth.

Be careful — ignoring his advice could lead to weakened enamel, gum damage, and even bad breath.

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Brushing after breakfast

It might seem natural to clean your teeth after your first meal of the day to wash away the taste of your morning coffee.

However, Dr. Ravanbakhsh warns that acidic foods like orange juice and toast can weaken enamel, and brushing too soon afterward could cause further damage. 

“Dentists recommend brushing first thing in the morning before breakfast, as it removes plaque and bacteria from your mouth built-up during your sleep,” he said. “The toothpaste also provides greater protection against acidic foods, while the method of brushing jump-starts your saliva production, helping break your food down.”

If you absolutely can’t resist the urge to brush post-breakfast, he recommends waiting at least 30-60 minutes to protect your enamel. In the meantime? Use mouthwash.

“Rinsing your mouth with mouthwash after eating also prevents food remnants from sticking to your teeth and prevents bacteria buildup,” he said.

Rinsing after brushing

It might also feel natural to rinse immediately after brushing your teeth — after all, you’re already there and how likely are you to think about your teeth again before the evening?

But Dr. Ravanbakhsh advises against this as it can make the toothpaste less effective.

“Once you have finished brushing your teeth, you should spit out any residual toothpaste,” he said. “By rinsing your mouth with water immediately after brushing, you wash away the fluoride, which is there to help prevent things like tooth decay.”

Once again, if you absolutely must, he recommends waiting at least 10-15 minutes before putting any liquids in your mouth to allow the fluoride to settle and strengthen your enamel.

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Brushing too hard

Scrubbing your teeth like you’re trying to scrub off the bacon grease that’s been sitting in the pan for five days? Bad move.

“Just because you brush your teeth harder does not mean you are giving them a more thorough clean,” he said. “In fact, this could damage your teeth and gums.”

Treat your teeth like your Le Creuset.

“To safely and properly clean your teeth, use a manual brush with soft bristles or an electric toothbrush,” he recommends.

If your bristles are worn down, that’s a telltale sign that you’re brushing too hard, according to Ravanbakhsh. Or why not employ a lighter touch?

“Another simple technique to soften your teeth cleaning is simply by holding your brush with just three fingers, this way it helps keep the pressure light compared to using your whole wrist,” he said.

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Thinking brushing is enough

Dentists never stop reminding you to floss — but they do it for a reason.

“You should floss once a day, with some studies suggesting that flossing before brushing could help remove more plaque,” Dr. Ravanbakhsh said. “As well as giving you fresher breath and removing debris from your teeth, flossing also plays an important role in protecting you from cavities.”

He also recommends swishing some mouthwash around after meals to help clear food debris — just don’t forget to wait at least 10-15 minutes.

Brushing the wrong way

“You may think your teeth brushing method is effective and doing no harm, but you could be missing vital spots. Simply going along your teeth in broad strokes from left to right is not recommended,” he said.

“Instead focus on tooth-by-tooth, massaging each one softly in back-and-forth or circular motions. Keeping your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle is also beneficial in helping you reach all the small nooks and crannies in your mouth.”

And don’t forget about your tongue!

“Brushing your tongue at the very end is essential for eliminating bacteria and improving your breath,” he said.