LIFESTYLE NEWS - Brushing twice a day is a good start to maintaining healthy teeth and gums, but even families with regular oral hygiene routines can overlook important details.
Children may struggle to clean every surface of their teeth, teenagers with braces need to pay extra attention to hard-to-reach areas, and older adults may experience oral health changes that require a different approach.
Dirna Grobbelaar, an oral hygiene advisor and spokesperson for the oral care industry, highlights seven common mistakes families should watch out for and offers practical advice on how to avoid them.
1. Brushing for less time than necessary
Two minutes can feel surprisingly long during a busy morning or at bedtime. However, brushing for less time may mean that some tooth surfaces are missed.
Using a timer for a few days can help family members establish how long they actually spend brushing.
The goal is to brush thoroughly for two minutes, twice a day, using a suitable toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
2. Brushing too hard
Applying extra pressure does not necessarily make teeth cleaner. In fact, aggressive brushing can irritate the gums and contribute to the wear of tooth enamel, particularly when combined with an abrasive toothpaste.
A soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle, controlled movements are generally recommended. Pay attention to the gumline and clean each tooth carefully rather than scrubbing harder.
3. Forgetting to clean between the teeth
A toothbrush cannot reach every surface of the teeth. Plaque and food particles can accumulate in the spaces between them, contributing to gum inflammation and tooth decay.
Cleaning between the teeth daily with dental floss or an appropriate interdental brush can help remove this build-up.
As children's permanent teeth emerge and their teeth become more closely positioned, parents should pay attention to whether they need help cleaning these spaces.
The most suitable cleaning tool will depend on the size of the spaces between the teeth and individual oral health needs.
4. Assuming children can brush thoroughly on their own
Children may be eager to brush independently, but having the confidence to hold a toothbrush does not necessarily mean they can clean their teeth effectively.
Younger children often need supervision and assistance to reach all tooth surfaces and brush for long enough.
Parents should generally help or supervise brushing until around the ages of eight to ten, although this varies according to the child's coordination and ability.
One practical approach is to allow children to practise brushing themselves before a parent checks and helps finish the job, particularly at bedtime.
Making brushing a shared routine can also help children develop good habits without turning oral care into a daily battle.
5. Treating braces like ordinary teeth
Braces create additional spaces where food particles and plaque can collect, particularly around brackets and wires. Rushing through brushing can leave these areas inadequately cleaned.
People with braces should take extra care to clean around each bracket and along the gumline. Cleaning between the teeth may also require specialised flossing techniques or tools designed for orthodontic appliances.
An orthodontist or oral hygienist can demonstrate the most effective approach for the particular type of braces and help prevent problems such as gum inflammation and white marks on the teeth.
6. Rinsing with water immediately after brushing
Rinsing the mouth thoroughly with water straight after brushing may wash away much of the fluoride left behind by toothpaste.
Fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel and protect against decay, so allowing it to remain on the teeth for longer can be beneficial.
A simple change is to spit out excess toothpaste after brushing rather than immediately rinsing with water. Cleaning between the teeth before brushing can also help establish a more effective routine.
Families should follow the age-appropriate instructions on toothpaste packaging, particularly for young children, who should use the recommended amount and avoid swallowing toothpaste.
7. Overlooking dry mouth in older family members
A persistently dry mouth may seem like a minor inconvenience, but saliva plays an important role in oral health. It helps wash away food particles, neutralise acids and protect teeth against decay.
Dry mouth can occur for several reasons, including dehydration, certain medications and underlying health conditions. Older adults may be particularly affected if they take medicines that reduce saliva production.
If an older family member regularly complains of a dry mouth, difficulty swallowing or discomfort when eating, the symptoms should not simply be dismissed as part of ageing.
A dentist or oral hygienist can assess the impact on oral health, while a healthcare professional can review possible underlying causes or medication side effects.
Drinking water regularly and seeking professional advice can help manage the problem and reduce the risk of associated dental complications.
Small changes can make a lasting difference
Regular dental check-ups allow families to identify problems early, review their brushing techniques and receive advice tailored to their individual needs.
Children, teenagers, adults and older family members may all require different levels of support, but the fundamentals remain the same: brush thoroughly twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, clean between the teeth daily and seek professional advice when concerns arise.
As Grobbelaar explains, the aim is not to give every family member an identical routine, but to recognise where each person needs additional help and make those changes part of everyday oral care.
A few small adjustments can help the whole family maintain healthier teeth and gums over the long term.
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
